Jim Corbett National Park: Difference between revisions
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'''Jim Corbett National Park''' |
'''Jim Corbett National Park''' — named after the famous [[Jim Corbett (hunter)|hunter and naturalist]] who played a key role in its establishment — is the oldest [[national park]] in [[India]].<ref name=Riley1> Riley & Riley 2005: 208</ref> The park was originally established in 1936 as Hailey National Park. Situated in [[Nainital district]] of [[Uttarakhand]], the park acts as a protected area for the [[critically endangered]] [[Bengal tiger]] of India, the secure survival of which is the main objective of [[Project Tiger]], an Indian wildlife protection initiative.<ref name=Riley1/> |
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The park has sub-[[Himalaya|Himalayan]] belt geographical structure.<ref name=Tiwari2/> It contains 488 different species of plants<ref name=Pant1/> and a diverse variety of [[fauna]].<ref name=Riley2/> During recent times the park has been a popular [[ecotourism]] destination.<ref name=Tiwari4/> The increase in tourist activities, among other problems, continues to present a serious challenge to the park's ecological balance.<ref name=Tiwari7>Tiwari & Joshi 1997: 309-311</ref> |
The park has sub-[[Himalaya|Himalayan]] belt geographical structure.<ref name=Tiwari2>Tiwari & Joshi 1997: 210 </ref> It contains 488 different species of plants<ref name=Pant1/> and a diverse variety of [[fauna]].<ref name=Riley2/> During recent times the park has been a popular [[ecotourism]] destination.<ref name=Tiwari4/> The increase in tourist activities, among other problems, continues to present a serious challenge to the park's ecological balance.<ref name=Tiwari7>Tiwari & Joshi 1997: 309-311</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Some areas of the park were formerly part of the [[princely state]] of [[Tehri Garhwal]].<ref name=UNEP1>UNEP 2003</ref> The forests were cleared to make the area less vulnerable to Rohila invaders.<ref name=UNEP1/> The [[Raja]] of Tehri formally ceded a part of his princely state to the British in return for their assistance in ousting the [[Gurkha]]s from his domain.<ref name=UNEP1/> Boksas |
Some areas of the park were formerly part of the [[princely state]] of [[Tehri Garhwal]].<ref name=UNEP1>UNEP 2003</ref> The forests were cleared to make the area less vulnerable to Rohila invaders.<ref name=UNEP1/> The [[Raja]] of Tehri formally ceded a part of his princely state to the British in return for their assistance in ousting the [[Gurkha]]s from his domain.<ref name=UNEP1/> The Boksas - a tribal people from the [[Terai]] - settled on the land and began growing crops, but in the early 1860s they were evicted with the advent of British rule.<ref name=UNEP1/> The British forest department established control over the land and prohibited cultivation and the operation of cattle stations.<ref name=Tiwari1/> The British administration considered the possibility of creating a [[game reserve]] there in 1907<ref name=Tiwari1/> and established a reserve area known as ''Hailey National Park'' covering 323.75 [[km²]] (125 [[sq mi]]) in 1936.<ref name=Projecttiger1>Corbett National Park (Project Tiger Directorate)</ref> The preserve was renamed in 1954-55 as ''Ramganga National Park'' and was again renamed in 1955-56 as ''Corbett National Park.''<ref name=Projecttiger1/> The new name honors the well-known author and wildlife conservationist Jim Corbett, who played a key role in creating the reserve by using his influence to persuade the provincial government to establish it.<ref name=Rangarajan1> Rangarajan 2006: 72</ref> |
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The reserve does not allow |
The reserve does not allow hunting, but does permit timber cutting.<ref name=Rangarajan1/> Soon after the establishment of the reserve, rules prohibiting killing, capturing, or even disturbing of [[mammal]]s within its boundaries were passed.<ref name=Rangarajan1/> |
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The park fared well during the 1930s under an elected administration.<ref name=Rangarajan2> Rangarajan 2006: 78</ref> But during the [[Second World War]], it suffered from excessive [[poaching]] and timber cutting.<ref name=Rangarajan2/> Over time the area in the reserve was increased — 797.72 km² (308 sq mi) were added in 1991 as a buffer for the Corbett Tiger Reserve.<ref name=Projecttiger1/> The 1991 additions included the entire Kalagarh forest division, assimilating the 301.18 km² (116.3 sq mi) area of Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary as a part of the Kalagarh division.<ref name=Projecttiger1/> It was chosen in 1974 as the location for launching Project Tiger, an ambitious and well known wildlife conservation project.<ref>Tiwari & Joshi 1997: 108</ref> The reserve is administered from its headquarters in the [[Nainital district|district of Nainital]].<ref name=Tiwari1>Tiwari & Joshi 1997: 208</ref> |
The park fared well during the 1930s under an elected administration.<ref name=Rangarajan2> Rangarajan 2006: 78</ref> But during the [[Second World War]], it suffered from excessive [[poaching]] and timber cutting.<ref name=Rangarajan2/> Over time the area in the reserve was increased — 797.72 km² (308 sq mi) were added in 1991 as a buffer for the Corbett Tiger Reserve.<ref name=Projecttiger1/> The 1991 additions included the entire Kalagarh forest division, assimilating the 301.18 km² (116.3 sq mi) area of Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary as a part of the Kalagarh division.<ref name=Projecttiger1/> It was chosen in 1974 as the location for launching Project Tiger, an ambitious and well known wildlife conservation project.<ref>Tiwari & Joshi 1997: 108</ref> The reserve is administered from its headquarters in the [[Nainital district|district of Nainital]].<ref name=Tiwari1>Tiwari & Joshi 1997: 208</ref> |
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==Climate== |
==Climate== |
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The [[weather]] in the park is |
The [[weather]] in the park is temperate compared to most other protected areas of India.<ref name=Tiwari8/> The temperature may vary from 5 °C (41 °F) to 30 °C (86 °F) during the winter and some mornings are foggy.<ref name=Tiwari8/> Summer temperatures normally do not rise above 40 °C (104 °F).<ref name=Tiwari8/> Rainfall ranges from light during the dry season to heavy during the [[monsoon]]s.<ref name=Riley1/> |
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==Flora== |
==Flora== |
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Revision as of 10:26, 15 November 2007
Jim Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett National Park | |
|---|---|
national park | |
| Established | 1936 |
| Website | gov.ua.nic.in/uttaranchaltourism/corbett.html |
Jim Corbett National Park — named after the famous hunter and naturalist who played a key role in its establishment — is the oldest national park in India.[2] The park was originally established in 1936 as Hailey National Park. Situated in Nainital district of Uttarakhand, the park acts as a protected area for the critically endangered Bengal tiger of India, the secure survival of which is the main objective of Project Tiger, an Indian wildlife protection initiative.[2]
The park has sub-Himalayan belt geographical structure.[3] It contains 488 different species of plants[4] and a diverse variety of fauna.[5] During recent times the park has been a popular ecotourism destination.[6] The increase in tourist activities, among other problems, continues to present a serious challenge to the park's ecological balance.[7]
History
Some areas of the park were formerly part of the princely state of Tehri Garhwal.[8] The forests were cleared to make the area less vulnerable to Rohila invaders.[8] The Raja of Tehri formally ceded a part of his princely state to the British in return for their assistance in ousting the Gurkhas from his domain.[8] The Boksas - a tribal people from the Terai - settled on the land and began growing crops, but in the early 1860s they were evicted with the advent of British rule.[8] The British forest department established control over the land and prohibited cultivation and the operation of cattle stations.[9] The British administration considered the possibility of creating a game reserve there in 1907[9] and established a reserve area known as Hailey National Park covering 323.75 km² (125 sq mi) in 1936.[10] The preserve was renamed in 1954-55 as Ramganga National Park and was again renamed in 1955-56 as Corbett National Park.[10] The new name honors the well-known author and wildlife conservationist Jim Corbett, who played a key role in creating the reserve by using his influence to persuade the provincial government to establish it.[11]
The reserve does not allow hunting, but does permit timber cutting.[11] Soon after the establishment of the reserve, rules prohibiting killing, capturing, or even disturbing of mammals within its boundaries were passed.[11] The park fared well during the 1930s under an elected administration.[12] But during the Second World War, it suffered from excessive poaching and timber cutting.[12] Over time the area in the reserve was increased — 797.72 km² (308 sq mi) were added in 1991 as a buffer for the Corbett Tiger Reserve.[10] The 1991 additions included the entire Kalagarh forest division, assimilating the 301.18 km² (116.3 sq mi) area of Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary as a part of the Kalagarh division.[10] It was chosen in 1974 as the location for launching Project Tiger, an ambitious and well known wildlife conservation project.[13] The reserve is administered from its headquarters in the district of Nainital.[9]
Corbett National Park is one of the thirteen protected areas covered by World Wildlife Fund under their Terai Arc Landscape Programme.[14] The programme aims to protect three of the five terrestrial flagship species, the tiger, the Asian elephant and the Great One-horned Rhinoceros, by restoring corridors of forest to link 13 protected areas of Nepal and India to enable wildlife migration.[14]
Geography
The park is located between 29°25' to 29°39'N latitude and 78°44' to 79°07'E longitude.[8] The average altitude of the region ranges between 360 metres (1,181 ft) and 1,040 metres (3,412 ft).[3] It has numerous ravines, ridges, minor streams and small plateaus with varying aspects and degrees of slopes.[3] The park encompasses the Patli Dun valley formed by the Ramganga river.[15]
The reserve, located partly along a valley between the Lesser Himalaya in the north and the Siwaliks in the south, has a sub-Himalayan belt structure.[3] The upper tertiary rocks are exposed towards the base of the Siwalik range and hard sandstone units form broad ridges.[3] Characteristic longitudinal valleys, geographically termed Doons, or Duns can be seen formed along the narrow tectonic zones between lineaments.[3]
Climate
The weather in the park is temperate compared to most other protected areas of India.[15] The temperature may vary from 5 °C (41 °F) to 30 °C (86 °F) during the winter and some mornings are foggy.[15] Summer temperatures normally do not rise above 40 °C (104 °F).[15] Rainfall ranges from light during the dry season to heavy during the monsoons.[2]
Flora
A total of 488 different species of plants have been recorded in the park.[4] Tree density inside the reserve is higher in the areas of Sal forests and lowest in the Anogeissus-Acacia catechu forests.[16] Total tree basal cover is greater in Sal dominated areas of woody vegetation.[16] Healthy regeneration in sapling and seedling layers is occurring in the Mallotus philippensis, Jamun and Diospyros tomentosa communities, but in the Sal forests the regeneration of sapling and seedling is poor.[16]
Fauna
Bengal tigers, although plentiful, are not easily spotted due to the abundance of camouflage in the reserve.[2] Thick jungle, the Ramganga river, and plentiful prey make this reserve an ideal habitat for tigers who are opportunistic feeders and prey upon a range of animals.[17] The tigers in the park have been known to kill much larger animals such as buffalo and even elephant for food.[5] The tigers prey upon the larger animals in rare cases of food shortage, often in packs using the advantage of numerical superiority.[5] The reserve has enormous boars, weighing up to 200 pounds, who provide a match for the tigers as a large male boar is capable of killing a tiger.[5] There have been incidents of tigers attacking domestic animals in times when there is a shortage of prey.[5]
Leopards are found in hilly areas but may also venture into the low land jungles.[5] Smaller felines in the park include the Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat and Leopard Cat.[5] Other mammals include four kinds of deer (barking, sambar, hog, and chital), Sloth and Himalayan Black bears, Indian Grey Mongoose, otters, yellow-throated martens, ghoral (goat-antelopes), Indian pangolins, and langur and rhesus monkeys.[17]
In the summer, Elephants are seen in large herds of several hundred.[5] The Indian python found in the reserve is a dangerous species, capable of killing a chital deer.[5] Local crocodiles were saved from extinction by captive breeding programs that subsequent;y released crocodiles into the Ramganga river.[5] Additionally, 33 species of reptiles, 7 species of amphibians, 7 species of fish and 37 species of dragonflies have been recorded.[8]
Over 585 species of resident and migratory birds have been categorised , including crested serpent eagles, blossom headed parakeet and the red jungle fowl — ancestor of all domestic fowl.[5] Owls and Nightjars can be heard during the night.[5]
Ecotourism
Though the main focus is protection of wildlife, the reserve management has also encouraged ecotourism.[10] In 1993, a training course covering natural history, visitor management and park interpretation was introduced to train nature guides.[10] A second course followed in 1995 which recruited more guides for the same purpose.[10] This allowed the staff of the reserve, previously preoccupied with guiding the visitors, to carry out management activities uninterrupted.[10] Additionally, the Indian government has organized workshops on ecotourism in Corbett National Park and Garhwal region to ensure that the local citizens profit from tourism while the park remains protected.[10]
Tiwari & Joshi (1997) consider summer (April-June) to be the best season for Indian tourists to visit the park while recommending the winter months (November-January) for foreign tourists.[18] According to Riley & Riley (2005): "Best chances of seeing a tiger to come late in the dry season- April to mid June-and go out with mahouts and elephants for several days."[5]
As early as 1991, the Corbett National Park played host to 3237 tourist vehicles carrying 45,215 visitors during the main tourist seasons between 15 November and 15 June.[6] This heavy influx of tourists has led to visible stress signs on the natural ecosystem.[6] Excessive trampling of soil due to tourist pressure has led to reduction in plant species and has also resulted in reduced soil moisture.[6] The tourists have increasingly used fuel wood for cooking.[6] This is a cause of concern as this fuel wood is obtained from the nearby forests, resulting in greater pressure on the forest ecosystem of the park.[6] Additionally, tourists have also caused problems by making noise, littering and causing disturbances in general.[19]
Challenges
The habitat of the reserve faces threats from invasive species such as the exotic weeds Lantana, Parthenium and Cassia.[10] Natural resources like trees and grasses are exploited by the local population while encroachment of at least of 13.62 hectare by 74 families has been recorded.[10]
A major incident in the history of the reserve followed the construction of a dam at the Kalagarh river and the submerging of 80 km² (30.9 sq mi) of prime low lying riverine area.[10] The consequences ranged from local extinction of swamp deer to a massive reduction in hog deer population.[10] The reservoir formed due to the submerging of land has also led to an increase in aquatic fauna and has additionally served as a habitat for winter migrants.[10]
Two villages situated on the southern boundary were shifted to the Firozpur–Manpur area situated on Ramnagar–Kashipur highway during 1990–93; the vacated areas were designated as buffer zones.[20] The families in these villages were mostly dependent on forest products.[20] With the passage of time, these areas began to show signs of ecological recovery.[20] Vines, herbs, grasses and small trees began to appear, followed by herbaceous flora, eventually leading to natural forest type.[20] It was observed that grass began to grow on the vacated agricultural fields and the adjoining forest areas started recuperating.[20] By 1999–2002 several plant species emerged in these buffer zones.[20] The newly arisen lush green fields attracted grass eating animals, mainly deer and elephants, who slowly migrated towards these areas and even preferred to stay there throughout the monsoon.[20] The Indian government has further approved the construction of a 12 km (7.5 mi) stone masonry wall on the southern boundary of the reserve where it comes in direct contact with agricultural fields.[10]
The villages surrounding the park are at least 15–20 years old and no new villages have come up in the recent past.[21] The increasing population growth rate and the density of population within 1 to 2 kilometers from the park present a challenge to the management of the reserve.[21] Incidents of killing cattle by tigers and leopards have led to acts of retaliation by the local population in some cases.[10]
There were 109 cases of poaching recorded in 1988–89.[22] This figure dropped to 12 reported cases in 1997–98 .[10]
See Also
 | ||
- Indian wildlife portal on Wikipedia
- Indomalaya ecozone
- Uttarakhand
- Terai
- Critically endangered species
- Leopard of Rudraprayag
- Champawat Tiger
- Rajaji National Park
- Man-Eaters of Kumaon and other literary references to Nainital
Notes
- ^ "An Assessment of Tourism in Corbett National Park". Wildlife Institute of India. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
{{cite web}}: Cite uses deprecated parameter|authors=(help) - ^ a b c d Riley & Riley 2005: 208
- ^ a b c d e f Tiwari & Joshi 1997: 210
- ^ a b Pant 1976
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Riley & Riley 2005: 210
- ^ a b c d e f Tiwari & Joshi 1997: 309
- ^ Tiwari & Joshi 1997: 309-311
- ^ a b c d e f UNEP 2003
- ^ a b c Tiwari & Joshi 1997: 208
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Corbett National Park (Project Tiger Directorate)
- ^ a b c Rangarajan 2006: 72
- ^ a b Rangarajan 2006: 78
- ^ Tiwari & Joshi 1997: 108
- ^ a b Drayton 2004
- ^ a b c d Tiwari & Joshi 1997: 286
- ^ a b c Singh et al. 1995
- ^ a b Riley & Riley 2005: 208-210
- ^ Tiwari & Joshi 1997: 298
- ^ Tiwari & Joshi 1997: 311
- ^ a b c d e f g Rao 2004
- ^ a b Tiwari & Joshi 1997: 263
- ^ Tiwari & Joshi 1997: 269
References
- Riley, Laura (2005). Nature's Strongholds: The World's Great Wildlife Reserves. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0691122199.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)
- Singh, Ashok. "Analysis of woody vegetation of Corbett National Park, India". Springer Netherlands. Volume 120 (Number 1 / September, 1995): 69–79.
{{cite journal}}:|issue=has extra text (help);|volume=has extra text (help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)
- Tiwari, P. C. (Editor) (January 1997). Wildlife in the Himalayan Foothills: Conservation and Management. Indus Publishing Company. ISBN 8173870667.
{{cite book}}:|first=has generic name (help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)
- "Corbett National Park (Project Tiger Directorate)" (HTML). Project Tiger Directorate, Ministry of Environment, Government of India. Retrieved 2007-10-13.
- Rangarajan, M. (2006). India's Wildlife History: an Introduction. Orient Longman. ISBN 8178241404.
- UNEP (2003). "World Database on Protected Areas, India, Corbett National Park". UNEP WCMC. Retrieved 2007-10-13.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help)
- Drayton, F. (2004). "Terai Arc Landscape in India" (PDF). World Wide Fund for Nature. Retrieved 2007-10-13.
- Pant, P.C. (1976). Plants of Corbett National Park, Uttar Pradesh. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 73:287-295.
- Rao, R.S.P. "Secondary succession in the buffer zone of Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttaranchal". Current Science (Indian Academy of Sciences). Volume 87 (No. 4, 25 August 2004.).
{{cite journal}}:|issue=has extra text (help);|volume=has extra text (help)
Further reading
- Corbett, Jim (January 1985). Man-Eaters of Kumaon. Buccaneer Books, Inc. ISBN 9780899665740.
- Corbett, Jim (July 2004). Oxford India Illustrated Corbett. Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 9780195668742.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)
External links
Information about Jim Corbett National Park
- "Corbett National Park." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 12 Oct. 2007