History of Corbett Tiger Reserve, India

Historical Background

The history of Corbett Tiger Reserve dates back to the time of the princely state of Tehri Garhwal. To combat the Gurkhas, the Raja of Tehri ceded part of his territory to the East India Company in exchange for their assistance. Following this, the land saw settlement by the Boksas, a tribe from the Terai region, who cultivated crops. However, with the advent of British rule in the 1860s, the Boksas were evicted to pave the way for forest conservation efforts.

19th-Century Conservation Efforts

The foundation for conservation was laid under Major Ramsay, the British officer in charge of the area. In 1868, the British Forest Department took control of the land, prohibiting cultivation and cattle stations. By 1879, the forests were officially constituted into a reserve forest where limited timber cutting was permitted.

The Creation of Hailey National Park

The concept of a game reserve was first suggested in 1907 by British officials like E. R. Stevans and E. A. Smythies. The process gained momentum in the 1930s with the support of renowned hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett, who helped persuade the government to establish the reserve. In 1936, the reserve was formally created and named Hailey National Park, spanning 323.75 km�, making it the first national park in Asia.

Renaming and Expansion

Post-independence, the park was renamed twice: first as Ramganga National Park in 1954�55 and later as Corbett National Park in 1955�56 to honor Jim Corbett�s efforts. Over the decades, the reserve area expanded, with 797.72 km� added in 1991 as a buffer zone, including the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary.

Project Tiger and Conservation

In 1974, Corbett National Park became the launching site for Project Tiger, an ambitious wildlife conservation project aimed at protecting the Bengal tiger. The reserve is now part of the Terai Arc Landscape Program, which aims to protect flagship species like the tiger, Asian elephant, and the great one-horned rhinoceros by restoring forest corridors.

Geography of Corbett Tiger Reserve

The park lies between 29�25'N and 29�39'N latitude and 78�44'E and 79�07'E longitude. The altitude ranges from 360 m to 1,040 m above sea level. It features diverse landscapes, including ravines, ridges, streams, and valleys. The Ramganga River flows through the Patli Dun Valley, enriching the park�s ecosystems.

Climate

The park has a temperate climate with temperatures ranging from 5�C to 40�C. Winters are cool, with foggy mornings, while summers remain warm but manageable. The region experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoons.

Flora and Fauna

The park is home to 488 species of plants and dense forests dominated by Sal trees. It supports diverse fauna, including 586 bird species, reptiles, and mammals like Bengal tigers, leopards, deer, elephants, and bears. Tigers thrive in this ideal habitat, while elephants are commonly seen during the summer months.

Ecotourism and Conservation Challenges

Ecotourism is encouraged to promote conservation and local livelihoods. However, increasing tourist activity has led to environmental stress, including soil erosion, noise pollution, and pressure on forest resources. Initiatives such as trained nature guides and government workshops aim to balance tourism with wildlife protection.