JIM CORBETT NATIONAL PARK
Jim Corbett National Park boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna, making it a captivating destination for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers. Here's an overview of the flora and fauna found in the park:
Flora:
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Sal Forests: The park is predominantly covered by moist deciduous and dry deciduous forests, with sal trees (Shorea robusta) being a dominant species. Sal forests are characteristic of the lower and outer regions of the park.
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Mixed Deciduous Forests: Apart from sal, the park is home to various other tree species like haldu (Adina cordifolia), pipal (Ficus religiosa), rohini (Mallotus philippensis), and mango (Mangifera indica).
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Riverine Vegetation: The park is traversed by several rivers and streams, contributing to the growth of riverine vegetation along their banks. You can find trees like khair (Acacia catechu), mahua (Madhuca indica), and kusum (Schleichera oleosa) in these areas.
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Grasslands: Open grasslands are interspersed throughout the park, providing grazing grounds for herbivores. The grasslands also play a crucial role in maintaining the park's ecological balance.
Fauna:
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Bengal Tigers: The park is renowned for its population of Bengal tigers. Jim Corbett National Park has been a pioneer in tiger conservation efforts in India.
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Leopards: Apart from tigers, leopards also inhabit the park. They are elusive and primarily nocturnal, making them a thrilling sighting for visitors.
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Indian Elephants: The park is home to a significant population of Indian elephants. These gentle giants can be spotted, especially in the Dhikala zone.
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Deer Species: Several species of deer, including spotted deer (chital), sambar deer, and hog deer, are found in abundance, making them a common sight during safaris.
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Wild Boars: Wild boars are widespread in the park and contribute to the carnivores' diet.
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Crocodiles: The Ramganga River and its tributaries house mugger crocodiles. Crocodile sightings are possible during river safaris.
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Birdlife: Jim Corbett National Park is a birdwatcher's paradise, with over 600 species of birds. Common sightings include crested serpent eagles, kingfishers, pallas's fish eagle, and the great hornbill.
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Reptiles: The park is also home to various reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and turtles
Jim Corbett National Park was named in honour of Edward James "Jim" Corbett, a British-Indian hunter, naturalist, and conservationist. Jim Corbett played a crucial role in the establishment of the national park and was instrumental in the early efforts of wildlife conservation in India. Here's how the name came about:
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Establishment of the Park: The national park was initially established as Hailey National Park in 1936. It was named after Sir Malcolm Hailey, the then Governor of the United Provinces (now the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh). The park aimed to protect the endangered Bengal tiger and its habitat.
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Renaming in 1957: In 1957, the park was renamed Jim Corbett National Park in tribute to Jim Corbett, who had been closely associated with the area. Jim Corbett was not only a skilled hunter but also a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation. He played a key role in raising awareness about the need to protect India's wildlife and natural heritage.
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Corbett's Conservation Contributions: Jim Corbett's love for the flora and fauna of the region, coupled with his efforts to conserve the Bengal tiger and other endangered species, earned him respect and admiration. His books, such as "Man-Eaters of Kumaon" and "The Temple Tiger and More Man-Eaters of Kumaon," highlighted his experiences in dealing with man-eating tigers and leopards and contributed to the public's awareness of wildlife conservation issues.
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Legacy and Recognition: Renaming the park after Jim Corbett was a fitting tribute to his contributions to wildlife conservation. It not only acknowledged his efforts in the region but also aimed to inspire future generations to value and protect India's diverse flora and fauna
Uttarakhand, a state in northern India, is known for its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes. Apart from Jim Corbett National Park, there are several other major protected areas and wildlife sanctuaries in Uttarakhand. Some of them include:
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Rajaji National Park:
- Located in the Shivalik range, it spans across the districts of Haridwar, Dehradun, and Pauri Garhwal.
- Rajaji National Park is known for its diverse flora and fauna, including elephants, tigers, leopards, deer, and a variety of bird species.
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Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve:
- A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is located in the Chamoli district.
- It includes the Nanda Devi National Park and the Valley of Flowers National Park.
- The reserve is named after the Nanda Devi peak, one of the highest peaks in India.
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Valley of Flowers National Park:
- Part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, this national park is renowned for its alpine meadows and diverse floral species.
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts trekkers and nature enthusiasts.
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Gangotri National Park:
- Located in the Uttarkashi district, Gangotri National Park is named after the Gangotri Glacier.
- The park is known for its high-altitude ecosystems and is home to species like the snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, and blue sheep.
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Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Situated in the Uttarkashi district, this sanctuary is a part of the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park.
- It is known for its diverse wildlife, including the snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, and various species of pheasants
The Supreme Court on Wednesday condemned the illegal felling of over 6,000 trees to construct buildings, ostensibly for “eco-tourism” at the Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, as a “classic case” of nexus between politicians and officials working to ransack the environment for short-term commercial ends.
“The present case depicts a sorry state of affairs of human greed devastating one of the most celebrated abodes of tigers i.e. the Corbett Tiger Reserve,” a three-judge Bench
The court also directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to form a specialised committee to study and recommend whether tiger safaris should be permitted in the buffer areas of a tiger reserve
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Previous Year Questions 1.Consider the following pairs: (UPSC CSE 2013) National Park River flowing through the Park
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched? (a) 1 and 2 Answer: (d) |
Source: The Hindu
