Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest national park in India(established in 1936) which was first made to protect the endangered Bengal Tiger. Located in Nainital District and Pauri Garhwal district, it was named after Sir Edward James Corbett who was a well-known hunter and a naturalist. It is one of the thirteen protected areas covered by the World Wide Fund for Nature under the Terai Arc Landscape Program which aims to protect three of the five terrestrial species, the tiger, the Asian elephant, and the great one-horned rhinoceros.

It has over 488 different species of plants, more than 586 species of birds, 33 species of reptiles, and 36 species of dragonflies. The weather in the park is temperate compared to most of the protected areas in India. The rainfall ranges from light during winter to heavy during the monsoon summer.

Though the main focus is the protection of wildlife, the reserve management has also encouraged ecotourism. In 1993 and 1995, there were 2 courses which were introduced to the nature guides. Additionally, the government has also organized workshops on ecotourism to ensure that the local citizens also get some basic understanding and knowledge while the park remains protected.

April-June(summer) is considered to be the best month for Indian tourists to visit the park while November-January(Winter) is recommended for foreign tourists. The best chances to see a tiger are in the late dry season(April to mid-June).

The rich terrain, from the foothills to the plains, is divided into five safari zones that allow travelers to explore the wildwood. It comprises numerous ravines, ridges, minor streams, and small plateaus secluded within the Lesser Himalaya and Shivalik. It exhibits a vast ecosphere that is bedded with moist deciduous forest and subtropical pine forest securing several and rare species of plant life.

Major Attractions In Jim Corbett National Park:

• Jeep Safari: It is the most common way to travel within the national park and often gives the tourists the opportunity of coming across tigers and elephants. The jeeps allow the tourists to take photography of the animals from a closer range and capture some rare moments.

• Dhikala: It is a well-known destination in the park and situated at the fringes of Patli Dun valley. There is a rest house, which was built hundred of years ago. Kanda ridge forms the backdrop, and from Dhikala, there are views of the valley.

• Kalagarh Dam: It is a dam located in the south-west of the wildlife sanctuary. This is one of the best places for a bird watching tour. Many migratory waterfowl come here in the winters.

• Corbett Falls: It is a 20 m waterfall situated on the Kaladhungi–Ramnagar highway. The waterfalls are surrounded by dense forests and pin-drop silence.

• Garjiya Devi Temple: It is sacred to the Garjiya Devi and is mostly visited by tourists during the Kartik Purnima (November – December). It is a prominent temple located on the bank of river Kosi, amidst the hilly terrains of Uttarakhand, nearby Garjiya village, Uttarakhand, India.

This is brief information about the Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand. With proper transport and staying arrangements, it is the perfect place for a family vacation. It is an absolute haven for nature lovers and the whispering ambiance simple makes it an ideal destination for wildlife photography. Here are a few photos of the amazing National Park from a seven-year-old child's point of view:

A view of the river along with the surrounding scenery

A beautiful sunset view from the house

A few monkeys playing around

A view of the scenery around the house

A back view of the garden

A tree that seemed to be very special

With so many various amazing places and features, it is a place that should be visited for sure and enjoyed. The many attractions and animals are the perfect reason for visiting and having a good memory of an amazing place with lots of photographs.

Here are a few reviews from the tourists:

• Trikansh Sharma, a professional photographer says:" Mesmerizing landscapes, jungles, grasslands, rivers, wetlands, hills, and plains all in one place. Where else would you get this? And not to forget, the fascinating wildlife."

• Vishwanath M, a wildlife enthusiast, and a photographer, says: "It's the best park in India. Loved the forest and landscapes. And the wildlife you find there is awesome to photograph and it's a photographer's dream to get Tigers and Elephants especially in the landscapes."

• Mehal Pandkar, a student says: " The park itself is very scenic with greenery everywhere you go. It's really well maintained and the safari rides are very safe. The park has a variety of flora and fauna for one to see but tigers are a rare sight(I didn't get to see any). Spotting elephant herds is an absolute delight, you get to them up close in their natural habitat. One thing to note is that animal and bird watching are entirely on luck and one needs to accept that they might not get to see any. Other than that a day spent here is well worth your time and one should definitely consider putting this park on their bucket list."

Here are a few amazing photographs that were clicked by Mehal Pandkar:

• Manavi Dubey says: "Jim Corbett National Park is a very peaceful place to be, we had gone in may but it was just as pleasant. We had gone for a safari ride inside the park and it was an amazing experience, an open jeep ride with animals around us. the most famous thing to spot here is the Bengal tiger. Usually, everyone is able to come across it in two or three rides but we were lucky enough to spot it in the first safari ride. The park had an amazing atmosphere and environment, and it was very well-maintained. We also spotted deers, rhinos in the lake, and even elephants.

Here are a few photographs which were taken by Manavi Dubey:

Overall, I agree with all that the others have said. The trip to Jim Corbett National Park was really the most amazing experience and that too with the amazing landscapes and the variety of flora and fauna. The wildlife made me go crazy and the experience was a delightful and amazing one.