Intro text

HABITAT MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION

Controlled burning is done in winter The greatest enemy of the forest is fire. During summers the danger of fire is greatest, when the forest floor is covered with dry leaves that readily catch fire and burn at the slightest spark. Once a summer fire starts it may quickly develop into an uncontrollable inferno, burning down forests and killing wildlife. Over the entire summer the forest staff are on their toes and as soon as a fire is detected, the crew immediately launches fire-fighting operations to minimise its impact. Clearings, called fire-lines, are maintained in the forests to serve as barriers to spreading fire.

A better way of preventing fires is to burn leaf litter artificially in winters before the dry season starts. This also promotes growth of fresh grass vital for deer and other grazing animals.

Exotic weeds cause much damage to the natural ecosystem of the park. In many areas weeds such as Lantana and Parthenium have invaded and wiped out native plants that are valuable herbivore food. Park staff patrolling reservoir Hence the forest staff also carries out weed eradication measures and clearings are replanted with indigenous grasses to restore the habitat.

The Corbett staff officials have to maintain constant vigil to prevent poaching and illicit cutting of trees over Corbett’s immense spread. Intensive patrolling is done throughout the Tiger Reserve and the Ramganga reservoir, using jeeps and motorboats.