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The Corbett National Park is located in the terai region of the state of Uttar Pradesh,
straddling the undulating Shivalik foothills of the Himalayas. Located around 300 kms
away from New Delhi, it is India's first ever national park.
The park was established in 1936 as the Hailey National Park, following the advice of the
hunter-naturalist Jim Corbett. The park covered 520 sq.kilometres in 1986, and a proposed
extension of 588 sq. kilometres is under consideration. Project Tiger, which was set up with
the help of the World Wildlife Fund, was launched at Dhikala, in the Corbett National Park
on April 1, 1973. This project was aimed at saving the Indian tiger
(Pantheratigris tigris) from extinction.
Over 50 mammals, 580 birds and 25 reptile species have been listed in the Corbett
National Park. The insect life is also astounding, noticeably specially after the monsoons.
But undoubtedly, the jewel of the Corbettis the Indian tiger. It was estimated that in
1984, the tiger population was 90 in this park.
Leopards as well as lesser cats such as the leopard cat, jungle cat, fishing cat are
also found here. The sloth bear, Himalayan black bear, dhole, jackal, yellow throated martem,
Himalyan palm civet, Indian greymongoose, common otter, porcupine, clacktaped hare are
the other attractionsof this area. It is possible to see elephants all over the park.
Four species of deer are found here. These are the chital, the well-known spotted deer,
para, kakka, and the barking deer. The goat antelopes are represented by the ghoral.
There is a lot for the bird watchers in this park. It has over 580 speciesof birds.
Most of the water birds are migrant, and arrive in winters. Someof these are the greylag,
barheaded goose, duck, grepe, snipe, sandpiper,gull and wagtail. The residents include
darters, cormorants, egrets, herons, the blacknecked stork and the spurwinged lapwings.
Reptiles, which are residents of this area, are the gharial,the rare fish eating,
long - nosed crocodile, and a few species of turtlesand tortoises. The Indian python,
viper, cobra, krait and kingcobra also inhabit the Corbett National Park.
The National Park offers invaluable experiences for adventurous and serious-minded
wildlife - buffs, photographers and anglers. It is advantageous to have one's own vehicle
here. Walking in some areas is permitted, but only when accompanied by a guide. Elephant
rides for wildlife viewing, in the mornings and evenings, can be booked in the Dhikala
complex.
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