Nestling in the foothills of the Himalayas, Corbett National Park has extremely varied topography and vegetation. This gives it a rich diversity of habitat and natural beauty. Flat valleys are interspersed with hilly ridges and the Park's rolling grasslands known as the 'Chaurs' provide visitors with an excellent view of the animals.

The park was established in 1936 as the Hailey National Park, following the advice of the hunter-naturalist Jim Corbett. The park covered 520 sq. kilometres in 1986, and a proposed extension of 588 sq. kilometres is under consideration.

A rare and splendid Biodiversity
The Corbett National Park is an excellent and largely inviolate specimen of the rich dense stands of Sal cloak the higher ridges, mixed deciduous forests are found throughout the park. Because of its rich bio- geographic diversity, the Park is a natural haven for the flora and fauna of the plains, the sub mountainous regions and high altitude areas.

The lifeline of the Park is the sparkling Ramganga river which provides safe harbour to mahaseer fish, crocodile and other species.

There are over 110 varieties of trees, 51 species of shrubs and over 33 kinds of bamboo and grasses.

A Home for Vanishing species
The protective environment of Corbett Park has kept some endangered species of the world hit list have been safe and thriving, like the hog deer which has been virtually saved from extinction.

Project Tiger, which was set up with the help of the World Wildlife Fund, was launched at Dhikala, in the Corbett National Park on April 1, 1973. This project was aimed at saving the Indian Tiger (Panthera Tigris) from extinction.

At last count, the numbers had increased substantially. Apart from Tigers (90 in number in 1984), leopards as well as lesser cats such as the leopard cat, jungle cat, and fishing cat are also found here. The sloth bear, Himalayan black bear, dhole, jackal, yellow throated marten, Himalayan palm civet, Indian grey mongoose, common otter, porcupine, black naped hare are the other attractions of this area. It is possible to see elephants all over the park. Corbett is also the only home of the rare Indian pagolin. Consider yourself supremely blessed if you spot one!