Located in the foothills of Himalaya, Jim Corbett National Park is in the closest proximity of Ramnagar an small Town. Corbett National Park is the oldest national park of India, Situated in Nainital district of Uttarakhand State.
As the reports say, probably the second largest population of free living tigers in the world are found in Corbett Tiger Reserve The reserve is thus one of the last remaining strong holds, which holds a potentially viable population of this majestic and critically endangered field.
It is also home of about 600 species of resident and migratory birds. This amazingly rich avifaunal diversity represents nearly 6% of the total birds species represented in the world and is more then the total bird diversity of Europe.
The 49 species of diurnal raptors found here are characteristic elements of this avifauna. The avifaunal diversity is at its peak during winters in Jim Corbett National Park India.
As stated above, the Jim Corbett National Park is a dream destination for wildlife lover and thus, in every year it is flooded with tourists from different nooks and crannies of the world. Considering the inflow of tourists, Corbett has been divided into four safari zones, namely:
- Dhikala Zone
- Jhirna Zone
- Bijrani Zone
- Durga Devi Zone
This division helps the authorities in the easy administration of the park. Now, let’s have a little detailed look of these five zones of Corbett.
Dhikala Zone
Entry Gate: Dhangadi Gate
Best time to visit: Mid of November to Mid of June
There is a reason so as to why the Dhikala Zone is mentioned at the first place. Dhikala is the largest zone of Corbett National Park and it has various comfortable forest lodges that allow the tourists to enjoy their stay amid the wilderness of Corbett. Besides this, the zone is famous for its enchanting natural beauty as well as for providing the sight of several exotic fauna species like the Bengal Tigers, Elephants, Deer, Chital, Vulture, Teal, Dove, Crocodile, Cobra and so on.
Jhirna Zone
Entry Gate: Jhirna Gate
Best time to visit: October to June End
Included in the tiger reserve area in 1994, Jhirna is another very import tourist zone in the Jim Corbett National Park. This zone is located 16 kilometers from Ramnagar and this proximity makes it easy to access by tourists. For accommodation rest house facility is available for tourists in this zone. Moreover, Jhirna is famous among the wildlife lovers for providing the sight of the wild bear. While an enormous bear appears from nowhere, the tourists are forced to skip a heartbeat.
Bijrani Zone
Entry Gate: Amdanda Gate
Best time to visit: Mid of October to June End
Lush Sal forests, swaying grasslands and various other diversified flora species define the Bijrani Zone at its best. Bijrani Zone is just 1 kilometers away from Ramnagar and it brings the wildlife lovers face to face with numerous wild beings like Elephants, Monkeys, Tigers, Chital and Deer. Further, tourists also enjoy the view formed by the beautiful birds flying high in the sky. It is easy to avail forest rest house accommodation at this zone.
Durga Devi Zone
Entry Gate: Durga Devi Gate
Best time to visit: Mid November to End of June
Durga Devi Zone is the best place for those who are fond of bird watching. Be it a Grey Headed Fishing Eagle, Black Chinned Yuhina, Maroon Orile, Crested Laughing Thrushor a Long Tailed Broadbill, you name it and the Durga Devi Zone has it. Besides this, it is the very zone in Corbett where the endangered Mahsheer fish come for breeding.
Note: Along with these zones, there is one more area that catches the eyeballs of tourists.
Sitabani Buffer Zone
Best time to visit: October to June End
Sitabani Zone doesn’t fall under the Corbett Tiger Reserve; it is actually just buffer forest area. This zone is famous for its temple and various avifauna species; thus, visitors enjoy great birding experience. One doesn’t need any prior permission to enjoy jeep or elephant safari in Sitabani.
