Page 198 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

196  CENTR AL INDIA

u Corbett National Park

Situated along the valley of the Ramganga river and
fringed by the Himalayan foothills in the north, Corbett
is considered one of India’s finest wildlife sanctuaries. The
1,288-sq km (497-sq mile) reserve was originally a hunter’s
paradise during the British Raj. In 1936, it became India’s
first national park, largely due to the efforts of the great
British hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett, after Paradise Flycatcher
whom the park is named. The park encompasses varied The male has beautiful
terrain, from savannah grasslands to hilly ridges of plumage, and measures
deciduous forests with chir pine and sal (Shorea robusta). 50 cm (20 in) in length.
Corbett is renowned for its remarkable variety of wildlife,
notably tigers, elephants, chausingha (four-horned
antelopes) and an astonishing 600 species of birds. Kanda
• J
Coucal or Sona Nadi
Crow Pheasant Wildlife Sanctuary
This striking, black-
and- brown bird
is found all
over north ern Ramganga
India. Its loud J Gairal • Ranikhett
and resonant J •
call echoes Dhikala Khinnanauli J
•
over the valleys
and forests in and Ramganga Reservoir • • • Sultan Dhangarhi
around Corbett. J Sarpduli •
J Paterpani Kosi
•
J •
Chir Choti Gaujpani
Malani
•
Garjia •
• Kalagarh Dhara Jhirna
• • Bijrani NH121
Takeswar •
Laldhang Dhela
• • Amdanda •

Grasslands Ramnagar Haldwani
Vast savannah grasslands (chaurs), Machaans or high •
ideal for viewing deer and other wildlife, watchtowers, situated
surround Dhikala, the park’s hub, located around the park, are ideal
by the Ramganga Reservoir. for viewing wildlife.

Gharial
The gharial (Gavialis
gangeticus) is a species that
can be seen on the banks of
the Ramganga Reservoir
(formed by a dam on the
Ramganga river). The reservoir
also attracts a variety of water
birds such as geese, ducks,
grebes and storks.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p696 and pp708–709

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