What to see in Corbett National Sanctuary?
An enormous wilderness all along, the mellifluous notes of cuckoo’s song in the woods, the gentle whistle of crisp clean air, rustling leaves… Corbett National Park is just not about tigers, but a lot more… How about meeting elephant cows and shaking hands with untamed tuskers, deciphering tweeters of the birds and skipping a beat on hearing the roars…Take an off from maddening city rush and gear your ways to the wildest natural haven on earth- The Corbett National Park.
Buffer Zone: Corbett Tiger Reserves covers a colossal area of 1318.54 sq km in total and is segregated in two parts: the Core area (520.82 sq km) and Buffer Area (792 sq km). Corbett Buffer Zone spans from reserves forests and Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and constitutes 19 villages in all. Unlike reserve area, it is the lesser-known delights, alongside Main Park, underlined with an official title—the Buffer Zone. Interestingly, unlike the main park Buffer Zone area only two modes of transport—four-legged (elephant safari) and another four-wheeled (jeep) are allowed—the buffer zone allows only walking. This surrounding area to the park can be strolled on foot `unencumbered`. Not to be missed, the buffer zone is loaded with nature`s wonders and borders the main attraction of the park. Of all the major avian species found in Corbett and areas abutting Corbett, the buffer zone shelters around 600 species of birds, most of which are migratory birds. Sprawling with vast acres of wilderness, dotted with villages and sunrays filtering amidst the tall sal woods, it is truly magical to go a walk on the lanes here. And, there is no better way to bird watching than this.
Dhikala: One of the gateways to Corbett National Park, Dhikala happens to be a tempting attraction at Corbett, just at 40 km northwest of Ramnagar. Situated on the edge of Patlidun Valley, Dhikala is punctuated by the concurrence of Ramganga River channels and is known to be the largest and most popular grassland of the park. Cloaked with vast grassland, it proves to be a great spot for wildlife viewing. To top the beauty strokes at Dhikala, the Kanda ridges provide a breathtaking backdrop here. To have an awesome view of the place one can watch it from the watchtower near Dhikala.
It can be accessed through Dhangarhi Gate and is not open to those who have a permit to stay overnight in one of the Forest Rest Houses. The Tourist Complex overlooks Dhikala Chaur (one of the largest remaining grasslands of the Park) and Phulai Chaur. A walk or drive through these trails makes you see some of the prized wildlife possessions like elephants, chital, hog deer and numerous grassland bird species and raptors. All seen and done you can’t ignore the beauty of old Forest Rest House, constructed by Britishers long, long ago.
Bijrani: An excellent hunting ground of the erstwhile British rulers, Bijrani is another place that permits day visits. Its landscape comprises dry forest vegetation with diverse flora and fauna species. The area falling under Bijrani is inundated with pocket-sized water bodies generally referred to as Tal- a Hindi version for streams and water bodies. Dotted with Mailani Tal and Phul Tal and many seasonal ponds like Kithcher Sot, Reethapani Sot, Khina Sot & Malani Sot, Bijrani attracts lot of wildlife residents like sambar, deer, chital, para, barking deer, India python, viper, cobra, krait, and the dreaded king cobra and various type of lizards. Alongside this, it throws chances to spot tigers, elephants. Drawn in by sweet nectar of Mahua flowers, the sloth bears and normal bears are often found in an intoxicated state after they consume Mahua. Nature Beckons!!!
Jhirna: Commonly known for its Forest Rest House, Jhirna is extensive grassland with much drier vegetation than that found in Bijrani. The whole of Jhirna can be accessed from Amanda gate and if you intend to find the Forest Rest House, located within, you must proceed on the southern boundary of the park, on the road from Ramnagar to Kalagarh that spans through the east-west direction of the park. In much similar pulse to Bijrani, Jhirna too is decked with perennial and seasonal sots and gorges running across it. Watching toward the north of Jhirna tourists can find a picturesque scene of thick bamboo plantations. There are quite bright chances to spot leopards, tigers, sambar, and other mammals too. Jhirna treasures flocks of avifauna species seen mostly in the evenings.
Crocodile Pool: A vast pool of clean freshwater, Crocodile Pool is a breeding area of crocs and many other reptile species. It happens to fall en route the elephant safari path and is a must-see place for wildlife enthusiasts. It is situated on the short cut path from Gairal to other Rest House on the west of the pool. The view is appealing with a balcony like natural construction to it, which provides an elevated look to the pool inhabited by the crocodiles. The sight of crocodiles lying by the pool and inside the water is both attention capturing and scary! One can easily spot male members because of its giant size. Some claim he is almost 18 feet from the tip of his snout to the tip of his tail. The pool also has many muggers, Mahseer carps and giant catfishes. The area near the stream and closer to upstream is inhabited by small fishes. Also, if lucky enough you can spot the happy-go-lucky elephants cooling off in the water. Beware of not playing or nearing the water as crocs are very receptive to their baits above water.
Gettheryo: Gettheryo is the name of the riverbed located toward the west of Khinnanauli nearing Sambar Trail. To reach to Gettheryo you must take the right of the forked path that comes 200 yards off the Sambar Trail. It is a huge stretch of dry land and rocky riverbed, inundated by seasonal stream water throughout. There is a high possibility of seeing tigers and elephants here. Often, one can spot herd and pack of animals drinking water nearby. Sitting on the bank of the stream and nearby water body zero in chances of viewing animals and beautiful locale decked with many twisting streams and elongated islands of Khair Sissoo trees.
Dhangarhi Museum: Located at Dhangarhi, the museum at Dhangarhi is a good stoppage for watching one-time wildlife species. The museum has glass boxes containing the head of tigers and elephants, killed in the fight long back.
Note: Entry Fee is Rs 5 for Indians and Rs 10 for foreigners. Children below 5 are exempted from paying the fee and children in the age group of 5-12 years are charged a nominal fee of Rs 1. Photography is permitted in the museum without any extra charge.
Kaladhungi Museum: Placed at a distance of 3 km after Kaladhungi town toward Nainital, opposite to the crossroad from where the road moves to Nainital via Khurptal, the Kaladhungi Museum is a place worth visiting. A hunt for historians, backpackers, and travelers, Kaladhungi Museum is also Jim Corbett’s winter retreat displaying personal articles, paintings, sketches, manuscripts and last hunt of its owner. The whole of the museum is a historical site that lends an insight into Jim Corbett’s life and era he lived in.
The bungalow is of lime mortar color and has preserved many personal items such as original manuscripts artifacts, palanquin (doli) and letters written by Corbett. The edifice was converted and declared as a museum by the Forest Department of India in 1967 and thereon is considered as a Government property. Interestingly, one can find a souvenir (Mothi Souvenir) shop attached to the museum; it has a dial-up internet facility.
Note: Entry Fee is Rs 5 for Indians and Rs 10 for foreigners. Children below 5 are exempted from paying the fee and children in the age group of 5-12 years are charged a nominal fee of Rs 1. The visiting time is 7.00 am – 6.00 pm and the museum remains closed on Sunday. The kaladhungi museum observes no holidays except that of Holi, in the month of March. The best time to visit is the months of January through March. Photography is permitted in the museum without any extra charge.
Corbett Falls: Go ahead 3 km from Kalahandi and you will be welcomed by nature’s sound of water. Yes, you are at Corbett Falls. Visiting the fall might put your idea of Kempty Fall on a stake as it is much enticing than Kempty Falls of Mussoorie. The cool clear water cascading from a height is a beauty worth admiring. Above all, the passage that leads you to the Fall will mesmerize you much before you reach there. The 1.7 km long path with chirping and flights of birds send you a clarion call for heaven ahead. Corbett Fall is undoubtedly beautiful; rustling leaves and killing silence definitely charm every visitor here.
Note: Entry Fees is Rs 5.00 for Indians and Rs 10 for foreigners. Photography is allowed free of cost. Bathing is permitted but be careful of slippery-moss-gathered stones as they might make you slip.
