Jim Corbett National Park

Lore & Background

Some areas of the park were formerly part of the princely state of Tehri Garhwal. Forests were cleared by the Uttarakhand Forest Department to reduce vulnerability to Rohilla invaders. The Raja of Tehri ceded part of his state to the East India Company in return for help ousting the Gurkhas. The Buksas tribe settled and farmed the land but were evicted in the early 1860s under British rule. Efforts to protect the forests began in the 19th century under Major Ramsay. In the early 1900s, several Britishers, including E. R. Stevans and E. A. Smythies, suggested a national park. Hunting was banned; only domestic timber cutting was allowed. During World War II, it suffered from poaching and excessive timber cutting.

Reader's Guide

Its establishment marked a crucial step in wildlife conservation in India, setting a precedent for protected areas. The park also participates in the World Wide Fund for Nature's Terai Arc Landscape Program, aiming to restore wildlife corridors for tigers, Asian elephants, and Indian rhinoceroses. However, increasing tourist activities pose a serious challenge to its ecological balance. The park's history reflects a transition from colonial-era forest management to modern conservation, and its ongoing role in ecotourism and wildlife protection underscores its legacy as a cornerstone of Indian conservation efforts.

Did You Know?

• The park's elevation ranges from 400 to 1,220 meters, and it receives rainfall from July to September.