The Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve is not only famous for being the first national park in India but has also gained the fame for bestowing the densest tiger populations in the country. Perhaps these reasons are magnetizing numerous animal lovers and tourists to find the majestic glimpses of these big cats in the country. People are making a good sum of efforts in increasing and preserving these gallant features but a new problem has arisen for the forest department. Many tigers are going beyond the park boundaries in search of the fresh territory. This is really raising issues and will bring them in dispute with people by actually attracting them for poaching. According to the Chief Wildlife Warden, SS Sharma, with the increase in the population of the tigers the area of their movement has decreased causing them to move away from the vicinity of the Corbett Reserve in search of water, food and rising temperature as well.

Although it is good news for us that the tiger state, Uttarakhand has shown a great rise in the counts; from 178 in 2008 to 235 in the recent survey. But now, it is most urgent to make the necessary efforts for the protection to the tigers in the adjoining Lansdowne and Ramnagar forest divisions. An another tiger expert, Mr. Anand Singh Negi has cited that the better management in the park is very essential and the provision of food and water for these wild creatures is a definite requirement, the lack of which will definitely force them to cross the boundaries causing them in the fear of poaching and death. The news of banning the tourism in the core areas has already brought many difficulties in the visiting of these creatures and if such negligence will continue, it will really bring a negative impact on tiger tourism. Thus, the management should pay an attention to the increase in the count of the tigers and should also focus on the increase in the territory of the jungle and their natural habitat; especially in the Corbett area. To avoid the future conflicts among the men and the tigers, it is very essential for the forest officials to bring the necessitated steps for the security of the pride of the jungle- the tigers.

Is tourism actually killing the tigers? I think this is the latest question rising in almost many minds. With the latest news of banning the core zones and now the news of the extension of banning, till the next hearing on August the 29; the issue is still on the pendulum. The decision of whether the core areas should be restricted or not or what other steps should be taken for the conservation of the wild species, is still rearing many inflicting issues. Whether or not the banning will continue, the fact remains the same that almost 25000 people will lose their livelihood once the core areas are restricted. The reasons are many but the basic reason is the fallouts of tourism, observed by many forest officials including Corbett’s Manoj Dhawal (guide). Definitely and straightly, the economy of the related town is majorly dependent upon the tiger-seeking tourists. It’s all because the tourists come here to watch only the tigers, the most gruesome creature of the jungle.

There are almost 42 tiger reserves all across India and all the areas are a gushing river of tourists specifically leaning down for tiger tours. The jungle safaris are simply meant for the tiger tours only and thus the issues of affecting the wildlife conservation with tourism is simply doubtful. As the jungle officials bring proper care and maintenance for all the animals housing in the reserve. The SC order will virtually shutter down the gates of tiger reserves in India, including the Corbett National Park which is India’s first and one of the finest & most visited tiger reserves in India which is spread at 1300 sq km. The order will eventually affect the infrastructure of the resorts, guides, vehicle owners, restaurants, bus operators and the villages around the reserves like Ramnagar in Corbett, in the foothills of the Kumaon region, Uttarakhand. All are imposed in the buffer areas without disturbing the core areas. Ironically, there are almost 150 resorts in Ramnagar which are totally dependent upon the animals of the reserves (including tigers) to attract guests, thus the mystery of poaching simply ends here. Some resorts near Ramnagar have already being shuttered down including the award-winning Camp Forktail Creek at the Corbett National Park vicinity due to unregulated tourism. The locals say the tiger population has considerably increased with the focus of tourism over the areas bringing proper care and maintenance for the wild beings. They even argue that the old tigers if found dead are not the victims of poaching. “A tiger gets killed in an accident, and they say it’s poached”, says Ajay, an aggrieved Corbett tour operator. Even the local governments are raising pleas against this temporary order. According to the pleas of the Madhya Pradesh Government, there are almost 650 rural villages in the core areas of the reserves in MP and that too are typically hooked on tourism only, including their livelihood. Above all, once the core areas are remained abandoned, the species will get more dejected or ignored may be bringing down the counts of the tiger species. The decision may be oscillating but the fact remains that we need to focus on the issues and the basic reasons behind the poaching or the accidental death of the tigers in India. Banning on tourism is not the sole solution but proper regulatory acts should be implemented by taking care of everyone, right from the wild creatures to the animal lovers and even on the tourism. Like and Share your views at Corbett National Park Facebook Community.

Pristine landscapes, lush and mushy surroundings, crystal clear rivers, the twilight glow of the sky and above all, the lively wild creatures rambling around the jungles of the majestic Corbett National Park. The royal Indian tigers, along with many other rare but incredible wild beings can be witnessed at the Brobdingnag of the Uttarakhand state, of course the first national park in India. Wittingly, the park has been divided into four major entry gates namely the Jhirna, Dhikala, Domunda, Bijrani and Sonanadi Zones. The Dhikala zone has been the most popular and the most visited zone; bringing up many reasons to attract thousands of tourists all over the world. The Dhikala Zone is a paradise awaiting the Dhikala Complex and is the most coveted place to have a wonderful stay with the Corbett Trip. It is the most demanding place where the herds of chital elephants can be seen from the complex itself. This zone is easily accessible via Ramnagar; and the Dhangari Gate is the main entrance for the Dhikala Range. The Dhingari Gate is just 19 kms away from Ramnagar and the Dhikala Tourist Complex. The range is open from 15 November to 15 June and is inaccessible during monsoons. The basic reason for the popularity of the Dhikala range is that it is located right in the middle of the Corbett National Park. To bring more fascination to this range the attractive Dhikala forest lodge is the perfect accommodation for the tourists and the animal lovers. Situated just 43 Kms away from the Ram Nagar town, the Dhikala Forest Lodge is being run and managed by the government officials of Corbett Reserve. The lodge is being located at the core area making much accessible to get closer to the wild lives for the wildlife enthusiast.

Accommodation at Dhikala The accommodation and the hospitality is simply superb at this lodge that brings in a total of 32 rooms in its 6 wings with other rooms are being situated at the comfortable bungalows and cabins. Each room has been furnished with water coolers and geysers in the bathrooms. Of course not meant for the luxurious kind of accommodation but the lodge brings all kinds of suited amenities and services that a tourist might expect during an adventure trip. The most fascinated part of the Dhikala Lodge is that it is being settled amidst the nature’s canopy. Dining at Dhikala The restaurant at Dhikala Lodge is simply incredible, where buffet meals are being served with a variety of foods and beverages; of course the quality of food is outstanding. The Dhikala range also boasts of a canteen which is being frequently visited by the visitors and the foods available here are at affordable ranges. The presence of a general store with the facility of every needed item makes this place more appealing. A library and reading room is also available at this lodge where wildlife movies are the important part of the evening at Corbett. Leisure and Sports Activities at Dhikala The Dhikala region allows the visiting of wide ranges of wild species from the watch tower beside a waterhole 1-Km from the forest lodge.  Elephant safari (subject to availability) and open gypsy safari are also available for wildlife viewing at Dhikala. Things to Know before moving into the Dhikala Zone The Dhikala Area prohibits the entry of the private vehicles until and unless you have booked yourself for the Dhikala Forest Lodge or any other forest lodges or rest houses including Khinnauli, Sarpdulli, Sultan, Gairal etc. The aim for such restriction is to minimize the disturbance caused by the unabated traffic movements to the animals. The best way to get into the Dhikala Zone without any hassle of booking the accommodation is through the Canter Safari. Enjoy your Corbett Trip through the most visited zone of the reserve and get the most enthralling and adventurous moments of your life by setting your accommodation at the most famed Dhikala Forest Lodge. Like and Share your views at Jim Corbett National Park Facebook Community.

Uttarakhand: Corbett National Park and Tiger Reserve- The Backbone of all the Tiger Reserves in India is extensively being linked with “Tiger Project” and definitely recognized as the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The land of gods, the home of Himalayas with sufficed natural landscape and variant natural beings; Uttarakhand is mostly being identified with the Jim Corbett National Park. The park that recently celebrated its 76th anniversary is the epitome of wildlife conservation. The Jim Corbett Reserve was earlier identified as Hailey National Park, named after the then Governor Sir Malcolm Hailey and was founded in 8th Of August 1936. Later in 1952, the park was named Ramganga National Park and finally in the year 1957 it was established as the first national park in India. Yesterday was the day that celebrated the anniversary of the Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve.

The Corbett Reserve established in honor and memory of the renowned hunter turned conservationist Jim Corbett. The day was basically celebrated to recall the memory of Jim Corbett, his braveries and his notions of wildlife conservation. The park which is mostly distinguished as country’s first park to bring the initiation of “Project Tiger” is being circularized at a vast expanse of 520.82 sq km. This park is solely dedicated to the welfare of wild creatures especially the rare and diminishing species. Definitely, Corbett is the perfect shelter for the roaring tigers, trumpeting elephants and singing birds.

The village in the buffer zone which was named by Corbett as Choti Haldwani village celebrated this day with the greatest zeal. The children dressed themselves like Corbett and his sister Margaret (Maggie) and reminded the people the bravery of the great hunter at Kaladhungi. Along with that, the message of wildlife conservation was also being spread across the area. Kaladhungi is the place that highlights the exceptional and endless story of tigers in the Kumaon region and is the same place where Jim Corbett used to live. His house is now a famous museum which is must visited by the tourists.

This park has collected so much of fame that nearly 2 lakh tourists visit the park every year during the months of November to June. Tom Alter, the celebrated actor has a great fascination for this place and had spent his winter vacations at the serenity of Corbett during 1958 to 1966 and he has a lot of inseparable memories associated with Corbett and its jungle life.

The park which has four entry gates namely Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Sonanadi and Domunda out of which the Dhikala is the most popular zone in Corbett located at the edge of Patli Dun Valley from where the famous Ramganga river flows through numerous channels.

Also, the Jhirna zone towards the south of Corbett remains open throughout the year and people can make their pavements into the core zone conveniently. These famous zones are the best gateway to many luxurious resorts and hotels in the buffer zone thus bringing you the great opportunities of lovely stay during the Corbett tour with superb residing options and services.

Like and Share your views about the park on the Corbett National Park Facebook Community.

Why should tourism be permitted in core areas? Whatever statistics may say, the fact remains that the tiger population in the country has practically diminished,”- says the Supreme Court bench. This mere statement has changed the whole scenario of the wildlife tourism when the government banned the entry in the core zones of the major tiger reserves in India.

Definitely, India is the major destination for large amount of wildlife tours in the suitable outskirts of the land including the national parks in different locations; but a single decision that “they” say in favor of the wildlife conservation, has brought about many queries among us. The major one is the difference between the banning and the regulations. Since years, the forest officials are bringing up great maintenance and management efforts for the wild creatures as well as for the wild lovers; so these creatures can live comfortably and protected amidst their natural habitat and the tourists can catch their glimpses and appreciate the nature’s wonders so closely. We are asking now, can’t we bring good and managed regulations to control the tourist traffic before it goes out of our hand? By just banning the entry into the major regions is truly not a solution but a regulated tourism should be focused. Of course, this single decision has badly affected the Indian wildlife tourism in its various areas. Counting the same numbers, nearly 200 shop owners in the villages and towns under the Madumalai Tiger Reserve in Nilgiri district in Tamil Nadu have downed their shutters where nearly 200 jeeps are lying idle that were used for the tourists and locals for sightseeing and jungle trips. Everyone is going without income just after this sudden decision. On the other hand, the Corbett Tiger Reserve which is being spread in the total area of 1, 318.54 sq km, with a core area of 520 sq km has been badly affected by disturbance in the tourism and hospitality that includes the people working in the tourism industry. Along with that the livelihoods of the tribes living in the buffer zones is also being badly affected. Consequently, many other regions including Pench, Tadoba and Melghat Reserves in Maharashtra have also faced many kinds of challenges after the ban. And the most remarkable changes have been faced by the most famed reserves in Indian including, Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Ranthambore and many more. The decision of banning the tourism in the core areas is really an unhealthy step for the animal lovers as well for the tourism department. Catching some of the pleas will definitely help us to find out good ways of defending ourselves: - There are no linkages of tourism and declining of tigers- Tigers can easily move, live and breed even if the vehicles are plying around them. The reserves of Ranthambore, Kanha and Corbett are the biggest example where we have found closest encounter of the tigers living freely in the area and they are even used of the safari vehicles. - There aren’t any private lodges in the core areas- The private commercial tourism within the parks are already being prohibited by the Wild Life (Protection) Act. If you will find any accommodations and structures existing inside the park, they are all government owned. Along with that the tourist movements have already been restricted to certain areas and they are only allowed inside the park for 6-8 hours out of 24. - Tigers are the reasons to attract tourists- The reserves are meant for the tigers and if people are coming to the national parks the reason is only one and that is the “tiger tour”. Definitely if the rate of their species will decline it will affect the tourism and so great maintenance and protection has always been taken to balance the nature’s count as well as the tourism. There are almost 40 tiger reserves and more tiger parks where the wild lovers can take roaring glimpses of these creatures and where there are high chances of seeing tigers and other megafaunas, the tourists will definitely wish to step into that world. - The area will be disdained upon banning on entry- It is an accepted fact that any place or thing has its value until it is being observed. The prohibition of entry will definitely disdain the area and the reserve will become more deserted bringing up the chances of more poaching in the area. This will definitely prohibit the media scouts or travel crew members and we will certainly be devoid of any kind of latest updates or news. - The buffer areas- Earlier when the tiger reserves were named as the administrative areas, it was all considered as the core zone but with the expansion of areas further, the reserves were being categorized into core and buffer zone of the sanctuary. There was a time when the Tiger Reserves (TRs) were given a legal definition and the Forest Right Act was preceded. There are still some parks that have only the core zone and the department is looking further for creating buffer zones. - A comprehensive decision making is the demand - The banning of tiger tourism is really bringing relapsing reactions. It is needed to bring creative ideas to extend tourism by keeping in mind about the preservation of the wild species. This can only be possible when we have an open and inclusive government organization. We are wishing, Our comments on the eco-tourism guidelines offered by SC will bring some results and the government will take necessary step accordingly. It should bring such result that will definitely work both for the environment and for we, the people. The banning is really an alarm for the individuals involved in conservation and in wildlife tourism to bring strong and effective regulations so that the very first comment mentioned in the first paragraph by SC can be proved wrong. It is also very essential to work together so that we can also maintain tourism and help in the balancing of the eco-system. A good management has always been the key to success and if we are informed and well updated we can certainly fortify our efforts to “save the tigers”. We are just hoping the Supreme Court will pay a balanced attention to all the elements related to the wild lives including the tourism. A well managed touring effort will definitely bring a flourished and well protected wildlife in India that will be highly appreciated by all the tourists all over the world by maintaining the species of the wild creatures. Corbett National Park Facebook Community Page.

In 1936, when Jim Corbett National Park was discovered no one had ever expected that it will attain such an appreciating popularity and response from all over the world. India'’s first and oldest wildlife reserve the Corbett Park is famed as the savior of endangered Bengal Tigers and attracts many wildlife lovers and appreciators of nature at its tremendous charming surroundings.