Jim Corbett National Park
India's first national park and a key tiger reserve.
Jim Corbett National Park, located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, India, was established in 1936 as the country's first national park. It was named after Jim Corbett, the author and naturalist who played a leading role in its creation. The park was also the first to be included under the Project Tiger initiative. Its terrain includes hills, riverine belts, marshy depressions, grasslands, and a large lake, with elevations ranging across the sub-Himalayan belt between the Lesser Himalaya and the Siwalik Hills. The area receives rainfall from July to September. Dense moist deciduous forest, dominated by Shorea robusta, peepal, rohini, and mango trees, covers nearly 73% of the park, which hosts 110 tree species and 617 plant species overall. Grasslands account for about 10% of the area. The park harbors 50 mammal species, 580 bird species, and 25 reptile species. Increasing tourist activities pose a serious challenge to its ecological balance.
Historically, parts of the park belonged to the princely state of Tehri Garhwal. The Raja of Tehri ceded territory to the East India Company in exchange for help ousting the Gurkhas. The Buksas tribe, who had settled and farmed the land, were evicted under British rule in the 1860s. Forest protection efforts began in the 19th century under Major Ramsay. In 1868, the British forest department took control, prohibiting cultivation and cattle stations. By 1879, the area became a reserve forest with restricted felling. In the early 1900s, Britishers like E. R. Stevans and E. A. Smythies proposed a national park. A game reserve was considered in 1907, but demarcation only began in the 1930s. Hailey National Park, covering a designated area, was created in 1936, becoming Asia’s first national park. Hunting was banned, though domestic timber cutting was allowed. The reserve was renamed Ramganga National Park in 1954–1955, then Corbett National Park the following year. It suffered from poaching and timber cutting during World War II. The area was later expanded, with buffer zones added in 1991, including the Kalagarh forest division and the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary. The park was chosen in 1974 to launch Project Tiger. It is part of the World Wide Fund for Nature’s Terai Arc Landscape Program, which aims to protect tigers, Asian elephants, and Indian rhinoceroses by restoring wildlife corridors linking protected areas
- location
- Nainital district, Uttarakhand, India
- elevation_range
- 400–1,220 m
- key_feature
- First national park in India; first Project Tiger reserve
- named_after
- Jim Corbett
Lore & Background
Some areas of the park were formerly part of the princely state of Tehri Garhwal. Forests were cleared by the Uttarakhand Forest Department to reduce vulnerability to Rohilla invaders. The Raja of Tehri ceded part of his state to the East India Company in return for help ousting the Gurkhas. The Buksas tribe settled and farmed the land but were evicted in the early 1860s under British rule. Efforts to protect the forests began in the 19th century under Major Ramsay. In the early 1900s, several Britishers, including E. R. Stevans and E. A. Smythies, suggested a national park. Hunting was banned; only domestic timber cutting was allowed. During World War II, it suffered from poaching and excessive timber cutting.
Reader's Guide
Its establishment marked a crucial step in wildlife conservation in India, setting a precedent for protected areas. The park also participates in the World Wide Fund for Nature's Terai Arc Landscape Program, aiming to restore wildlife corridors for tigers, Asian elephants, and Indian rhinoceroses. However, increasing tourist activities pose a serious challenge to its ecological balance. The park's history reflects a transition from colonial-era forest management to modern conservation, and its ongoing role in ecotourism and wildlife protection underscores its legacy as a cornerstone of Indian conservation efforts.
Did You Know?
- The park's elevation ranges from 400 to 1,220 meters, and it receives rainfall from July to September.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Jim Corbett National Park located?
The park sits within the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, in northern India. Its terrain spans elevations between 400 and 1,220 meters above sea level, encompassing hills, river valleys, marshy lowlands, and grasslands.
What kinds of habitats and landscapes can visitors see in Jim Corbett National Park?
The park's scenery is remarkably varied, featuring forested hills, riverine corridors, marshy depressions, open grasslands, and a large lake. Elevation shifts from 400 meters up to 1,220 meters, creating multiple distinct ecological zones within a single protected area.
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