Flora and Fauna of Corbett

With an area of 521 sq km and more than 75-year-old history, Corbett National Park is India’s wild pride. Having celebrated its diamond jubilee recently, Corbett is considered as a ‘jewel in the crown’ of India. Established in the year 1936, Corbett National Park is an awesome sanctuary which has Ram Ganga River along the upper Ganges as its core and Himalayan Mountain as its backdrop. Located in Nainital district of Uttrakhand, the park is mammoth reservoir of endangered Bengal tiger and part of Patlidun Valley. Better known as “Corbett National Park & Tiger Reserve”, the main target is preserving royal tigers of Bengal. 

Spanning across a huge area, the park shelters many endangered species: 50 mammal species, 549 bird species and 26 reptile species. Amidst these treasured charms of hariyali (greenery) and dense jungles, Corbett displays a unique allure of being India’s first and foremost National Park. 

Since its establishment in 1936, the park has changed several names before finally taking its honour as Corbett National Park. Initially the park was named as Hailey National Park, covering not-so-wide areas of 323.75 sq km, followed by another renaming as Ramganga National Park in the year 1954–55 and finally as Corbett National Park in 1955-56 by the angrezs (British).

Corbett Tiger Reserve has an area of 1300 sq kms covering forest, hills and grassland that are fed by frisky river. It has a biodiversity that is rich and rare. The ambience is a simple retreat for city dwellers and wildlife lovers, far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Corbett is, in fact, a large valley with a long axis from east to west, with an elevation ranging from 400 meters to 1210, meters. The park teems with 110 species of trees, 51 shrubs, 27 of climbers, 37 grasses and bamboos. Some of the prime plantations that catches one’s attention are haldu adina cardifolia, pipal ficus religiosa, rohini mallotus philipensis and mango mangifera indica are also commonly found. Sheesham dalbergia sissoo is found along the Ramganga River.

Other common and trees of important uses are rohini, mainly converted to vermillion or sindoor, used by women on their foreheads. Kattha, which is used for chewing with beetle (paan) in India, is also found here. This is good herb used for mouth infection. Bel, a hard-shelled fruit grows quiet wild here. Trees like amla and sanjana are also found growing abundantly in the jungle riches. The park is noticeable for its sal, bakli, khweta, pula, dhauri, bhilawa, ber, papri, kumbhi, mahwa, trichoniya, rohni and jamun.

The silence of jungles, flora and highly favorable climate spells magic on wildlife species in Corbett, for Corbett is kneaded with innumerable wildlife species. Presently, 549 species of birds, 26 reptile species, 50 mammal species, and 7 species of amphibians are housed in the sanctuary. Besides the regular species found in the dense jungles, there are many species like: elephants, tigers chitals, sambars, hog deer and barking deer, crocodiles, gharials, monitor lizards, wild boars and jackals. Also found are nocturnals like: leopard cat, jungle cat, fishing cat and sloth bear, Himalayan black bear. Some of the small resident of the park are dhole, Himalayan palm civet, Indian gray mongoose, common otter, black naped hare and porcupine. Along the Ramganga River, one can spot fish eating crocodiles and mugger crocodiles. The Langur and rhesus monkeys are well distributed through the park.