Corbett Tiger Reserve

There are few places on Earth as breathtaking as the Corbett Tiger Reserve.It is truly a living work of art ! the interplay of rivers ,chaurs (grassland) and sal forests encourages a vast diversity of insect ,bird and animal life to thrive. One of india's most popular wildlife destinations ,Corbett has something for everyone. Its wide open spaces actually dwarf the largest land animals -elephants, Sightings of the gharial and mugger draw as much interest among visitors as the tiger in this exquisite tigerland ,birdwatchers can seek out almost 600 species of birds .Every nook and cranny of this emerald wonderland is special .However ,it is not just about sighting a tiger or an elephant or other wildlife here ,the park has an indescribable vitality ,a special charm that feeds the soul and stays with you forever.

History 

The Katyuri kings ruled Kumaon, Gargwal And Nepal between 7th and 11th centuries .The Chands of Rajasthan claimed Kumaon between the 15th and 19th centuries while the Pala dynasty held dominion over Garhwal and Tehri . Around 1353, Emperor Bahadur Khan Lodhi of Delhi conferred the title od Shah on the Raja of Tehri -Garhwal and the Shahs consolidated their position over the region and defended it successfully from Mughal marauders .The Gurkhas conquered Almora in 1790 and 1803 also took Garhwal and Dehradun . However ,by 1814 , the British defeated the Gurkhas and the whole division was under the administration of a Commissioner. By 1858 , all rebellion was quelled . Cultivation ,extraction and clear fellingof forests rose.

Major Henry Ramsey ,who began his service as Assistant Commissioner , initiated some steps such as preventing the Boksa tribals who cultivated land cleared after setting fire to sal forests ,banning cultivation in the lower Patlidun valley ,removing cattle camps and prohibiting the unlicensed removal of timber . He also appointed forest workers to fight fires and remove fields .

Demands by the Members of the Association for the Preservation of Game in the United Provinces (U.P.) to create a national park were finally accepted in 1934 ,by the Governor ,Sir William Malcolm Hailey . A committee that included Jim Corbett helped demarcate boundaries and made the necessary recommendations . On August 8, 1936 an area of 323.75 sq.Km was notified as The Hailey National Park ,the first of its kind in India .Post British rule ,in 1952 ,the park was renamed Ramganga National Park and five years later ,in 1957 ,when Jim Corbett died ,it was rechristened the Corbett NAtional Park .

In 1966 ,the park area was increased to 520.82sq,Km and in 1973 ,Corbett National Parkwas chosen as the venue for the launch of the celebrated Project Tiger ,In 1991,the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary(301.18 sq.Km) was established and together with outlying Reserved Forests Reserved Forests (496.54 sq.Km ) was amalgamated into the Corbett Tiger Reserve , a Protected Area Totalling 1,318.54 sq.km.