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The Accommodation
Available Within the Park
Dhikala, Gairal and Bijrani. However, Dhikala is rather
crowded with tourists. It is advisable to stay in Gairal,
which is quiet and offers excellent sightings. A notice at
Gairal (“Survivors will be prosecuted”) warns against
swimming in the Ramganga because of gharials (a species of
crocodile) that can kill human beings. Ramnagar, the
headquarters of Project Tiger, is also a good place to
stay. Jeeps can be hired from here for safaris into the
Park, and accommodation is better than at Dhikala and
Gairal.
Flora Attraction
Corbett National Park is rich in vegetation, with
different kinds of trees and shrubs. The lower reaches of
the Park, where the land is flat compared to the upper
reaches, consists of tall and slender sal (Shorea robusta)
trees. Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) and khair (Acacia
katechu) trees are found in the middle reaches, while the
upper reaches of the mountains are full of bakli (Anogeissus
latifolia), chir (Pinus roxburghii), gurail (Bauhinia
racemosa) and bamboo trees. The Park is dotted with
lantana shrubs, a species that is a great cause for
concern. Imported years ago from America, the lantana
shrub ensures that nothing else grows near it. In the Park
are 110 species of trees, 51 species of shrubs, and over
33 species of bamboo and grass that are mostly found in
chowds, or meadows.
Wildlife Attractions
Corbett National Park has more than 50 species of mammals,
585 species of birds and 25 species of reptiles, but the
Park is known for its elephants and leopards, not its
tigers. Many kinds of deer, namely chital (spotted deer),
sambar (Indian stag), chinkara (Indian gazelle), pada (hog
deer) and muntjac (barking deer) abound in the Park.
Tiger Sighting
Tiger sighting is rare, in spite of a lot of alarm calls
from monkeys and deer. Elephant herds comprising tuskers,
females and calves are commonly seen. However, an elephant
herd with calves is perhaps the most dangerous encounter
in the wild, for elephants are very possessive of their
young and do not hesitate to charge at intruding human
beings.
Leopard sighting is even rarer than that of the tiger, and
these spotted cats confine themselves to the higher
reaches of the Park. Other feline species found in the
Park are leopard cats, jungle cats, the rare fishing cat,
and caracal, to name a few. Sloth bears, wild boars,
monkeys, dholes (wild dogs), jackals and ghorals (mountain
goats) also inhabit the Park.
Aquatic Reptile Population
The aquatic reptile population in the Park consists of
mugger (Crocodylus palustris) and gharial (Gavialis
gangeticus) crocodiles, while Indian rock pythons,
Russell’s vipers, cobras, king cobras and common kraits
are some of the snakes found in the Park. Bird life
includes parakeets, flycatchers, babblers, cuckoos,
robins, bulbuls, Indian and Great Pied hornbills, warblers
and finches, to name a few.
Safaris
Elephant safaris can be arranged in Dhikala and Bijrani.
2hrs, Rs 120 for foreigners, Rs 20 for Indians.
Jeep safaris are available from outside the Park as well
as from Dhikala. 2hrs, Rs 500. Rs 800 (plus petrol) for
full day, can be hired from Ramnagar. |
