Nestling in the foothills of the Himalayas, the Corbett National Park extends over an area of 520.82sq.km.Varied topography and vegetation gives Corbett a rich diversity in habitats and natural beauty. Flat valleys are interspread with hilly ridges and the Park’s rolling grasslands known as the Chaurs provide visitors with an excellent view of its inhabitants.
The magnificent Ramganga River flows through the entire length of the park and little forest streams tumble through the ravines. While dense stands of sal cloak the higher ridges,mixed deciduous forest are found throughout the Park and over 110 varietiesof trees, 51 species of shrubs and over 33 kinds of bamboos and grasses are seen here.
Corbett has the highest density of tiger in the country – approximately one every 5 sq.km. and it was here that the prestigious “Project Tiger”was launched in 1973.
Besides the tiger, Corbett is a haven for 50 mammals , 580 kinds of birds and 25 reptile species. The park has elephants, the Himalayan black bear in the higher elevations, sloth bear, varieties of lesser known cats, dhole-the wild dog and an entire spectrum of colourful birds including waterbirds, pheasants, jungle fowl and the Indian hornbill. Basking along thebanks of Ramganga are the slender snouted gharial and the mugger or marshcrocodile. The river fine sporting fish prized by anglers, though angling isnot permitted inside the National Park.
