An enormous wilderness all
along, the mellifluous notes of cuckoo’s song in the woods, the gentle whistle
of crisp clean air, rustling leaves … Corbett National Park is just not about
tigers, but a lot more… How about meeting elephant cows and shaking hands with
untamed tuskers, deciphering tweeters of the birds and skipping a beat on
hearing the roars…Take a off from maddening city rush and gear your ways to the
wildest natural haven on earth- The Corbett National Park.
Buffer Zone
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Dhikala
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Bijrani
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Jhirna
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Crocodile Pool
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Gettheryo
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Dhangarhi Museum
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Kaladhungi Museum
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Corbett Falls
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Corbett
Tiger Reserves covers a colossal area of 1318.54 sq km in total, and is
segregated in two parts: the Core area (520.82 sq km) and Buffer Area (792 sq
km). Corbett Buffer Zone spans from reserves forests and Sonanadi Wildlife
Sanctuary and constitutes 19 villages in all. Unlike reserve area, it is the
lesser known delights, alongside Main Park, underlined with an official
title—the Buffer Zone. Interestingly, unlike the main park Buffer Zone area
only two modes of transport—four legged (elephant safari) and another four
wheeled (jeep) are allowed—the buffer zone allows only walking. This
surrounding area to the park can be strolled on foot `unencumbered`. Not to be
missed, the buffer zone is loaded with nature`s wonders, and borders the main
attraction of the park. Of all the major avian species found in Corbett and
areas abutting Corbett, the buffer zone shelters around 600 species of birds,
most of which are migratory birds. Sprawling with vast acres of wilderness,
dotted with villages and sunrays filtering amidst the tall sal woods, it is
truly a magical to go a walk on the lanes here. And, there is no better way to
bird watching than this.
One
of the gateways to Corbett National Park, Dhikala happens to be a tempting
attraction at Corbett, just at 40 kms North West of Ramnagar. Situated on the
edge of Patlidun Valley, Dhikala is punctuated by the concurrence of Ramganga
River channels and is known to be the largest and most popular grassland of the
park. Claoked with vast grassland, it proves to be a great spot for wildlife
viewing. To top the beauty strokes at Dhikala, the Kanda ridges provides
breathtaking backdrop here. To have an awesome view of the place one can watch
it from the watchtower near Dhikala.
It
can be accessed through Dhangarhi Gate and is not open to those who have a
permit to stay overnight in one of the Forest Rest Houses. The Tourist Complex
overlooks Dhikala Chaur (one of the largest remaining grasslands of the Park)
and Phulai Chaur. A walk or drive through these trails makes you see some of
the prized wildlife possessions like elephants, chital, hog deer and numerous
grassland bird species and raptors. All seen and done you can’t ignore the
beauty of old Forest Rest House, constructed by Britishers long, long ago.
An
excellent hunting ground of the erstwhile British rulers, Bijrani is another
place which permits day visits. Its landscape comprises dry forest vegetation
with diverse flora and fauna species. The area falling under Bijrani is
inundated with pocket-sized water bodies generally referred to as Tal- a Hindi
version for streams and water bodies. Dotted with Mailani Tal and Phul Tal and
many seasonal ponds like Kithcher Sot, Reethapani Sot, Khina Sot & Malani
Sot, Bijrani attracts lot of wildlife residents like sambar, deer, chital,
para, barking deer, India python, viper, cobra, krait and the dreaded king
cobra and various type of lizards. Alongside, it throws chances to spot tigers,
elephants. Drawn in by sweet nectar of Mahua flowers, the sloth bears and
normal bears are often found in an intoxicated state after they consume Mahua.
Nature Beckons!!!
Commonly known for its
Forest Rest House, Jhirna is extensive grassland with much drier vegetation
than that found in Bijrani. The whole of Jhirna can be accessed from Amanda
gate and if you intend to find the Forest Rest House, located within, you must
proceed on the southern boundary of the park, on the road from Ramnagar to
Kalagarh that spans through east west direction of the park. In much similar
pulse to Bijrani, Jhirna too is decked with perennial and seasonal sots and
gorges running across it. Watching toward the north of Jhirna tourists can find
picturesque scene of thick bamboo plantations. There are quiet bright chances
to spot leopards, tigers, sambar and other mammals too. Jhirna treasures flocks
of avifauna species seen mostly in the evenings.
A
vast pool of clean fresh water, Crocodile Pool is a breeding area of crocs and
many other reptile species. It happens to fall en route the elephant safari
path and is a must-see place for wildlife enthusiasts. It is situated on the
short cut path from Gairal to other Rest House on the west of the pool. The
view is appealing with balcony like natural construction to it, which provides
elevated look to the pool inhabited by the crocodiles. The sight of crocodiles
lying by the pool and inside the water is both attention capturing and scary!
One can easily spot male member because of its giant size. Some claim he is
almost 18 feet from the tip of his snout to the tip of his tail. The pool also
has many muggers, Mahseer carps and giant catfishes. The area near the stream
and closer to upstream is inhabited by small fishes. Also, if lucky enough you
can spot the happy-go-lucky elephants cooling off in the water. Be ware of not
playing or nearing the water as crocs are very receptive to their baits above
water.
Gettheryo is a name of the
riverbed located toward the west of Khinnanauli nearing Sambar Trail. To reach
to Gettheryo you must take right of the forked path that comes 200 yards off
the Sambar Trail. It is a huge stretch of dry land and rocky riverbed,
inundated by seasonal stream water throughout. There is a high possibility for
seeing tigers and elephants here. Often, one can spot herd and pack of animals
drinking water near by. Sitting on the bank of stream and near by water body
zero in chances of viewing animals and beautiful locale decked with many
twisting streams and elongated islands of Khair Sissoo trees.
Located at Dhangarhi,
the museum at Dhangarhi is a good stoppage for watching one-time wildlife
species. The museum has glass boxes containing head of tigers and elephants,
killed in fight long back.
Note: Entry
Fee is Rs 5 for Indians and Rs 10 for foreigners. Children below 5 are exempted
from paying the fee and children in the age group of 5-12 years are charged a
nominal fee of Rs 1. Photography is permitted in the museum without any extra
charge.
Placed at a distance of
3 km after Kaladhungi town toward Nainital, opposite to the crossroad from
where the road moves to Nainital via Khurptal, the Kaladhungi Museum is a place
worth visiting. A hunt for historians, backpackers and travelers, Kaladhungi
Museum is also Jim Corbett’s winter retreat displaying personal articles,
paintings, sketches, manuscripts and last hunt of its owner. The whole of
museum is historical site that lends an insight into Jim Corbett’s life and era
he lived in.
The
bungalow is of lime mortar colour and has preserved many personal items such as
original manuscripts artifacts, palanquin (doli) and letters written by
Corbett. The edifice was converted and declared as museum by Forest Department
of India in 1967 and thereon is considered as a Government property.
Interestingly, one can find a souvenir (Mothi Souvenir) shop attached to the
museum; it has a dial up internet facility.
Note:
Entry Fee is Rs 5 for Indians and Rs 10 for foreigners. Children below 5 are
exempted from paying the fee and children in the age group of 5-12 years are
charged a nominal fee of Rs 1. The visiting time is 7.00 am – 6.00 pm and the
museum remains closed on Sunday. The kaladhungi museum observes no holidays
except that of Holi, in the month of March. The best time to visit is the
months of January through March. Photography is permitted in the museum without
any extra charge.
Go
ahead 3 kms from kaladhungi and you will be welcome by nature’s sound of water.
Yes, you are at Corbett Falls. Visiting the fall might put your idea of Kempty
Fall on stake as it is much entice than Kempty Falls of Mussoorie. The cool
clear water cascading from a height is a beauty worth admiring. Above all, the
passage that leads you to the Fall will mesmerize you much before you reach
there. The 1.7 kms long path with chirping and flights of birds send you a
clarion call for a heaven ahead. Corbett Fall is undoubtedly beautiful;
rustling leaves and killing silence definitely charm every visitor here.
Note: Entry Fees
is Rs 5.00 for Indians and Rs 10 for foreigners. Photography is allowed free of
cost. Bathing is permitted but be careful of slippery-moss-gathered stones as
they might make you slip.
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