Jim Corbett National Park

Introduction Jim Corbett National Park lies in the Nainital, Pauri Garwhal and Bijnore Districts of Uttaranchal. It is named after the hunter turned conservationist Jim Corbett who played a key role in its establishment. It is the oldest national park in India. The park was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park. The park acts as a protected area for the critically endangered Bengal tiger of India. History Jim Corbett National Park India has always been famous for their resident tigers. Initially Jim Corbett National Park reserve was named as 'Hailey National Park' in 1936. Jim Corbett National Park was renamed in 1954-55 as 'Ramganga National Park' and again in 1955-56 as 'Jim Corbett National Park' after Jim Corbett who hunted down tigers that had turned man-eaters, between 1907 to 1939. Jim Corbett National Park India is the 1st and oldest National Park of India. Jim Corbett National Park India was one of the nine Tiger Reserves created at the launch of the Project Tiger in 1973. Geography The present area of the Reserve is 1318.54 sq. km. including 520 sq. km. of core area and 797.72 sq. km. of buffer area. The core area forms the Jim Corbett National Park while the buffer contains reserve forests (496.54 sq.km.) as well as the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary (301.18 sq.km.). The core is bounded to the North by the Kanda Ridge, with a height of 1043 m at its highest point. The entire area of the reserve is mountainous and falls in the Shivalik and Outer Himalaya geological region. It forms the catchment area of the Ramganga, a tributary of the Ganga. The Ramganga flows from East to West in the reserve through landscapes of incredible beauty. Dammed at Kalagarh at the south-western end of the reserve in 1974. The reservoir created, submerged 40-sq. km. of prime grassland. The area on the western side of the reservoir now constitutes the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary. Climate The weather in the park is temperate compared to most other protected areas of India. The temperature may vary from 5 C (41 F) to 30 C (86 F) during the winter and some mornings are foggy. Summer temperatures normally do not rise above 40 C (104 F). Rainfall ranges from light during the dry season to heavy during the monsoons. Flora The park has sub-Himalayan belt geographical and ecological characteristics. It contains 488 different species of plants. Dense moist deciduous forest mainly consists of sal, haldu, peepal, rohini and mango trees, and these trees cover almost 73 per cent of the park. The 10 per cent of the area consists of grasslands. It houses around 110 tree species. Fauna Over 585 species of resident and migratory birds have been categorized, 33 species of reptiles, seven species of amphibians, seven species of fish, 37 species of dragonflies and 50 species of mammals. The endangered Bengal tiger of India resides here. The sanctuary was the first to come under Project Tiger initiative. The increase in tourist activities, among other problems, continues to be a serious challenge to the park's ecological balance. Conservation The increasing population growth rate and the density of population within 1 km to 2 km from the park present a challenge to the management of the reserve. In April, 2008, the National Conservation Tiger Authority (NCTA) expressed serious concern that protection systems have weakened, and poachers have infiltrated into this park. Monitoring of wild animals in the prescribed format has not been followed despite advisories and observations made during field visits. The Indian government has approved the construction of a 12 km stone masonry wall on the southern boundary of the reserve where it comes in direct contact with agricultural fields.