Jim Corbett National Park, Location, History, Interesting Facts

Jim Corbett National Park is India's oldest national park named as Hailey National Park established in 1936 is located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, and later renamed in 1957 in honor of Jim Corbett who was a renowned hunter-turned-conservationist. The Jim Corbett National Park is spanned over 520 sq.km, is a biodiversity hotspot serving home to Bengal Tigers, Indian elephants, leopards, sloth bears, deer and over 600 bird species. The Jim Corbett National Park is divided into 9 zones, Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Durgadevi, Sonanadi, Garjiya, Dhela, Phanto, and Sitabani. Keep reading the article to explore the details about the Jim Corbett National Park.

Jim Corbett National Park History

Jim Corbett National Park, originally established as Hailey National Park in 1936, holds a rich history. In 1907, the area around the Ramganga River was declared a reserve forest under British administration. Later in 1936, the forest area was designated as Hailey National Park, named after Sir Malcolm Hailey, the Governor of the United Provinces.

Post-independence, the park was renamed Ramganga National Park and after 1955, the park was again renamed Corbett National Park, in honor of Jim Corbett, the renowned hunter-turned-conservationist who played an important role in its establishment.

Jim Corbett National Park Interesting Facts

Jim Corbett National Park, part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve, was established under Government of India's Project Tiger in 1973 having a total area of 1,318.54 sq.km, the reserve comprises:

• A core area of 520 sq.km, called Jim Corbett National Park.
• A buffer area of 797.72 sq.km, which includes reserve forests and the Sonanadi National Park.

Geographical and Ecological Significance

• Jim Corbett National Park is located between the Shiwalik Himalayas and the Terai region, the park holds diverse landscapes, including ridges, streams, plateaus, ravines, grasslands, deciduous forests, and pine forests.
• It has been recognized as an ‘Important Bird Area’ by BirdLife International, hosting over 586 species of resident and migratory birds.

Flora and Fauna

• Fauna: The park is home to Royal Bengal tigers, Asiatic elephants, leopards, and other mammals such as the jungle cat, barking deer, spotted deer, sambar deer, sloth bears, Himalayan black bears, langurs, rhesus macaques, and otters.
  • It serves as a crucial habitat for both resident and migratory bird species.
• Reptiles & Amphibians: It shelters 25 species of reptiles, including the Indian python, and 7 species of amphibians, including crocodiles and gharials.
• Flora: The park is home for 488 species of plants, contributing to its rich biodiversity.

Tourism and Conservation Initiatives

• The park is divided into six ecotourism zones: Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Sonanadi, Durgadevi, and Dhela.
• It is protected under the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) as part of the Terai Arc Landscape Program, which focuses on conserving three flagship species:
  • Bengal tiger
  • Asiatic elephant
  • Great one-horned rhinoceros

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