Jim Corbett is the jewel in the crown of Indian wildlife when it comes to the diversity of flora and fauna. More than 580 different bird species, 260 tigers, Asiatic Elephants, and a wide variety of other animals can be found in the park. This park will enable seeing various creatures in addition to the vast avifauna. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, the landscape of the National park is another great factor for being one of the most beautiful National Park in India.
The first national park in India, Jim Corbett National Park, was created in the northern hill state of Uttarakhand in 1936 and was named after the famed tiger hunter turned naturalist Jim Corbett (1875–1955). It is one of the most well-known wildlife locations in India, and many wildlife enthusiasts travel there to see the magnificent Royal Bengal Tigers.
Jim Corbett National Park with a total area of 1319 sq km, in which 798 sq km of buffer and 521 sq km of core zone. The Core zone comprises areas of two districts, with the majority of the park’s 312.86 square kilometers falling in the Pauri Garhwal district and the remaining 208.14 square kilometers in the Nainital district. The park is located in parts of the Ramnagar and Kalagarh forest divisions.
As per the rule by NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority), on 20 per cent of the National Park is used for tourism. For the efficient supervision of tourism operations in the tiger reserve region, Corbett National Park is separated into five ecotourism zones. The five good zones are Dhikala, Bijarani, Jhirna, Dhela, and Durga Devi zones.
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Brief description of five tourism zones of Corbett National Park is below:
1. Dhikala Zone
Among all the Corbett National Park tourism areas, the Dhikala zone is one of the best tiger safari zones. The most popular area for a stay at the Dhikala Forest Rest House inside the National Park, where one can stay in a 100-year-old rest house around the pristine Tiger Habitat. The Dhikala zone, is also the largest zone in the Corbett National Park, is located on the outskirts of the Patil Dun valley and is home to a wide range of flora and fauna.
You may enjoy an attractive view of nature in this area thanks to its terrain, which is made up of broad grasslands known as Chaurs, a sal tree forest, and several Ramganga River channels. It’s a truly spectacular scene, with a panoramic view of the wide valley and the Kanda Ridge in the background.
It is the area that wildlife lovers most frequently choose to spend the night in because it is known to be the finest place to see tigers. In this area, it’s common to encounter other species like wild elephants, spotted deer, wild boars, hog deer, and barking deer. If one is lucky, they might catch a glimpse of the tiger chasing a deer across the grass or next to a creek. Additionally, a variety of bird species can be found here, providing bird lovers with a visual feast. There isn’t a vehicle safari available for day visitors in the Dhikala zone. However, the Dhikala zone’s forest officials provide a day trip that includes a canter safari. Jeep safaris are available only for the tourist who stays inside the at Forest rest House.
Open Period for Safari Tour: 15th November to 15th June
Safari Offered for day visitors: Canter Safari Only (02 Canters at a time)
Forest Rest House: Dhikala Forest Rest House, Gairal Forest Rest House, Sarpduli Forest Rest House and Sultan Forest Rest House.
Entry Gate: Dhangadi Gate
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2. Bijrani Zone
When it comes to breathtaking natural scenery or gaining a sight of the royal Bengal tiger, who rules the Corbett forest, the Bijrani zone is not any less impressive. After the Dhikala zone, this area is the most visited by people who travel on day safaris. This area is renowned for its peaceful and serene atmosphere inside the forest and is richly endowed with an attractive environment.
This area is distinct from others in the Corbett due to the variety of wildlife species that can be found there. The geography of the Bijrani zone is just as beautiful as that of the Dhikala zone, with its expansive grasslands, dense sal woodland, and numerous water streams.
Open Period for Safari Tour: 15th October to 30th June
Safari offered for day visitors: Jeep safari (30 jeeps at each morning and afternoon slot)
Forest Rest House: Bijrani Forest Rest House and Mailani Forest Rest House
Entry Gate: Amdanda Gate
3. Jhirna Zone
Jhirna zone is situated on the southern fringe of Corbett National Park, was added to the tiger safari zone much later, in 1994, and it quickly gained enormous appeal among wildlife enthusiasts. One of the most visited zone in the Corbett National Park is the Jhirna zone because it is accessible to day visitors throughout the entire year. Numerous reports of wildlife sightings in this area include sightings of tigers and a wide variety of other wild life like, Asiatic Elephant, Sambar, Spotted deer, Baring Deer, Sloth Bear and many other smaller mammals.
open period for Safari Tour: Throughout the year
Safari offered for day visitors: Jeep safari (30 jeeps at each morning and afternoon slot)
Forest Rest House: No Forest Rest House
Entry Gate: Dhela Gate
Explore Tiger Safari Tours in Corbett National Park.
4. Dhela Zone
Dhela zone is the latest tourism zone opened in December 2014 for safaris. Like the Jhirna zone, this area welcomes visitors throughout the entire year. The safari tour, however, is based on the weather. The area has a combination of geography, with extensive meadows, numerous water bodies, and dense forests dominated by Sal trees with Haldu, Bahera, Rohini, and Kusum. It falls in the southern buffer part of Corbett National Park.
After the Dhikala zone, the Dhela Zone for Corbett forest safari has the greatest tiger sighting status for the 2019–2020 season. When there are just a few Jeep Safari permits available, the demand for Dhela Zone is substantially higher. Tiger sightings from the Dhela Zone’s entrance gate are frequent, which attests to the tiger’s presence there.
Open period for Safari Tour: Throughout the year
Safari offered for day visitor: Jeep safari (15 jeeps at each morning and afternoon slot)
Forest Rest House: No Forest Rest House
Entry Gate: Dhela Gate
5. Durgadevi Zone
The Durga Devi zone is like a paradise for nature enthusiasts with its hilly terrain and beautiful Landscape. The area is extremely rich in plant and animal species and is located on the northeastern edge of the Corbett National Park. The Ramganga River and Mandal River streams contribute to the quality of the water bodies in this area and enhance the beauty of the untamed forest. Leopards, wild elephants, and otters—all of which can be found especially close to the Domunda Bridge—are this area’s main draws in addition to the gorgeous tigers. In the river streams of this region, one can find the renowned fish known as the Mahsheer fish.
Open period for Safari Tour: 15th October to 15th June 2022
Safari offered for day visitor: Jeep Safari (11 jeeps at each morning and afternoon slot)
Forest Rest House: Lohachaur Forest Rest House
Entry Gate: Durgadevi Gate
There are some other zones which are also open for jeep safari around Corbett National Park which offers the Jeep Safaris are Garjia Safari Zones, Sitabani Safari Zones and Phato Safari Zones.
The Sitabani zone is the reserve forest zone outside of the Corbett Tiger Reserve. Everyone is welcome to visit the region, which is referred to as the tiger reserve’s Buffer area. This area’s geography offers a variety of natural features, including deep woodland, river streams, and numerous ancient temples. There is a old temple known as Sitabani because of which the name of the zone has been derived. The private vehicles are also allowed in this zone.
Girija is a newly added safari area that is now open to visitors so they can experience a safari. The Corbett National Park currently has tourism safari zones at Bijrani, Jhirna, Dhela, Durgadevi, Sitabani, and Pakhro. The Corbett administration has made the Girija tourism zone accessible to tourists due to the limited number of safari seats. Many wildlife enthusiasts are upset when they cannot go on safari during the busiest travel season.
One of the well-known places where a love of wildlife and a wonderful sense of nature will make you feel good is Phato Zone. The main species to be found in Corbett National Park are tigers. Being in the Phato Zone is an additional level of happiness and enchantment due to its singular beauty. This is a fantastic tourist area, and visitors like satisfying their urge for excursions here. The tenth zone of Ramnagar is the Phato zone, which is significant. Jeep excursion through the Phato entry gate in Mohan Nagar Maldhan, which is 26 kilometers from Ramnagar. Each safari with 50 jeeps lasted three hours and was held in the morning and evening, respectively.
Also Read: Best places for tiger safaris in India for 2023.
