Landscapes Of Jim Corbett National Park

Landscapes Of Corbett National Park

Mountains surrounding the area of Jim Corbett National Park offer a huge diversity of habitats due to variation in altitude, relief and temperature. As a result mountains plants and animals species have different and unique characteristics. They reveal the entirely different behavior as compare to others wildlife community's residents in different national park of the country. Himalayan mountain system leaves direct impact on the characteristics of Jim Corbett National Park. As far as the geographical boundary is concerned Corbett's northern area are marked by the Lesser Himalayan chain which extends from Pakistan, through Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal, Uttaranchal, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and to Arunachal. The lesser Himalayas are made up of crystalline rocks. These mountains are quite high with an average altitude of 1800 meter. The sal dominated area of Corbett has woody vegetation and rest area vegetation include different species of trees like Oak, Pine and rhododendron. However, major portion of the park falls in the outer Himalayan or Shiwalik region towards the south. The upper tertiary rocks are exposed towards the Shiwalik range and hence Shiwaliks form the largest ridge across the park, running east to west from Dhangarhi to Kalagarh. These ridges are clothed by sal forests and other associates.

Dun Valley :

After the independence the population of tiger in India suffered a heavy decline due to many reasons. The primary reason was noticed as deforestation activity done by local people to earn their livelihood. Diversion of land was started just to accelerate the development activities like irrigation, hydro-electric projects, road/rail construction. The early king's hobbies were sport hunting and poaching of tigers for trophies. These activities led the sudden decrease of tiger population in Corbett. Visitors staying at Dhikala forest lodge and if they move towards the Kanha ridge can enjoy the spectacular natural beauty of Patli Dun Valley. The elongated valley between the Himalayas and Shiwalik mountain ranges is called Duns. It is formed by the Ramganga River. The valley is covered with gravel and boulders formed by the erosion of Himalayas and Shiwalik uplands. Northern half of the Corbett is covered by one such Dun called Patli Dun which is best visible from the Dhikala zone and Kanda being situated at the high altitude of the park which reflects a splendid view of the valley.

Mountain habitats reflect definite character of flora and fauna in terms of altitude. A number of different types of plant communities can be observed in the area having ascending mountain peak. The foothills have usually broadleaves forest while we go higher up coniferous trees can be seen. The same distribution can also be seen in Corbett. The downstream areas of the Corbett consist of Saal forest while we go up we find progressive belts of mixed forests of Chir Pine, Oak and Rhododendron. Accordingly, the flora and fauna of the Corbett also varies in the same manner.

In Corbett the sal forests are distributed around Panod nallah, Amgadi sot, Sajgadi sot, Gajar sot and Sultan, and also near Dhikala, Khinanauli, Bijrani and Mailani.

The Land Of Trumpet, Roar And Song :

Tucked away in the foothills of the Sub-Himalayan belt Jim Corbett National has seized the imagination of many wildlife fans with its diverse wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. Established as Hailey National Park in the year 1936, Corbett has attained the fame of the first national park to be established in mainland Asia. The natural uniqueness of the area was identified by the Edward James Corbett a British hunter whole played a key role in its establishments.

The whole area of the Jim Corbett National Park spans in two districts of Uttarakhand i.e. Nainital and Pauri. The total extent of the park covers an area of 521 Square kilometers together with the neighboring wildlife sanctuary called Sonanadi and Reserve Forest area which forms the Corbett Tiger Reserve spans over 1288 Square kilometers.

Its beautiful geographical location, varied physical features and climatic types displays the widest variety of landscapes. It lies amidst the Himalayan and the Terrai, and the streams, rivers and ridges crisscrossing the terrain which forms the unmatched combination of biographic and physical environment of the area. Corbett is known for its vivid mosaic of habitats like plain and mountainous, wet and dry, gentle and rugged, forests and grasslands supporting the life of many species of plant and animals. The Royal Bengal Tiger and Asiatic Elephant are the most famous wild residents of Corbett, additionally with about 600 species of avifauna Corbett is one of the richest bird regions of India.