7 things most travellers don't know about Jim Corbett, India's oldest national park
Jim Corbett National Park is often seen as the go-to weekend destination for wildlife safaris, especially if you're hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive Bengal tiger. But this iconic park, India's oldest, is far more than just tiger territory.
From little-known facts to surprising features, here are seven things most travellers don't know about this legendary forest.
It wasn't always called Jim Corbett
When the park was established in 1936, it was named
Hailey National Park
after a British official. It was only in 1957, well after Jim Corbett's death, that the park was renamed to honour the man who played a key role in protecting the region's wildlife. He was known not only for hunting man-eating tigers but also for advocating their conservation.
Birthplace of Project Tiger
Jim Corbett National Park was the starting point for
Project Tiger
—India's flagship tiger conservation programme launched in 1973. The success of this project helped shape India's broader wildlife protection policies, and Corbett remains a key sanctuary in tiger conservation today.
Read more:
7 Wonders of the World and where are they located
Multiple safari zones
Most people think of the park as one single destination, but it's actually divided into several zones like Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Dhela, and Durga Devi.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Forget Furosemide, Use This Household Item To Help Drain Edema Fluid
WellnessGuide
Learn more
Undo
Each zone offers a slightly different landscape and wildlife experience. Dhikala, the largest and most popular, offers the best chance to spot large animals and is only accessible to those staying in forest lodges managed by the government.
Tigers aren't the only highlights here
Sure, everyone's obsessed with spotting stripes, but Jim Corbett is also home to leopards, elephants, otters, gharials, and even over 600 species of birds.
Paradise for birdwatchers
While tigers get all the attention, Corbett is also home to over 600 species of birds.
From crested serpent eagles to hornbills and kingfishers, the park is one of the best birding destinations in India—especially during winter, when migratory species arrive.
Read more:
10 famous graves worth travelling the world for
Corbett's landscape is incredibly diverse
The park covers over 1,300 sq km and features everything from dense Sal forests and riverbanks to grasslands and hill slopes. This varied terrain supports a wide range of flora and fauna—making it a much richer ecosystem than many travellers realise.
There are forest rest houses with real history
Scattered across the park are old British-era forest guesthouses. Places like the Dhikala and Sultan rest houses offer a rustic, no-frills stay inside the jungle itself. Staying here gives visitors a real sense of what the forest feels like once the safari jeeps leave for the day.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
2 hours ago
- India.com
Tired Of Crowds? These 6 Hidden Gems In Shimla Are Your Escape Route
Shimla has an unparalleled colonial appeal which is accompanied by pine-covered slopes and the bustling Mall Road. There are moments, however, during the peak tourist seasons when you'd want nothing more than to be left alone with your thoughts away from all the noise. Whether you're looking to read a book in peace or soak nature in, there are hidden locations in Shimla that cater to your need for solitude. No need to worry about being suffocated by other people, rather, take a look at some of the top places in Shimla where you can truly feel completely alone. These abandoned buildings and forest trails serve these regions with fresh air while also offering a deep sense of spiritual connection with nature. Falls Sitting in the heart of Glen Forest, Chadwick Falls is a hidden gem that is a painful distance away from all the tourist locations. To make matters worse, the walk towards the falls is covered by dense Deodar and pine trees, which makes the whole 'journey' profound in itself. At the base of the waterfall, misty surroundings add an already mythical touch to this place. Accompanied by the sound of cascading water and chirping birds, peace never felt better. Found about 5 kilometers from Shimla, in the vicinity of Summer Hill This location is best visited very early in the morning for total tranquility. The height of the waterfall is around 86 meters, making it quite a sight. Most suitable for meditation, photography, and easy hiking. Try to avoid visiting during the busy tourism season if you wish to enjoy the peace and quiet. Forest If you seek solitude in the wilderness, the Mashobra forest fulfills your desire. Unlike the crowded Ridge or Mall Note, here, there are miles upon miles of undisturbed walking trails which are accompanied only by the rustle of leaves and the occasional owl hooting. The cherry on the cake? You won't see another human being for hours. Located 8 km from Shimla city center Famous for its pine, cedar and oak trees Is a great place for nature lovers because of the diverse birds and wildlife Provides numerous pathways that venture deeper into the forest for ultimate solitude Best visited during early morning or late afternoon Devi Temple This temple is situated on top of Prospect Hill. Unlike most tourists who do not get infatuated with Jakhoo Temple, Kamna Devi Temple is far less crowded and offers tranquility from the usually tourist populated areas. As a bonus, this beautiful temple can also be accessed with a short and relatively easy trek. Located 4 km from Shimla, near Boileauganj Half hour walk up through a forested area Offers a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains Rarely crowded, making it a perfect meditation spot Most ideal at sunrise or sunset for stunning views The Annandale region once served as a main recreational site for British officers of the Raj. Now it is a rather unexplored section of Shimla that is covered by thick Deodar forests. This makes it a great location for some much needed peace and quiet. Tourists who happen to visit the region get the perfect opportunity to sit back and relax, taking in the beautiful sight of the soft clouds cascading over the hills. While this region is phenomenal for being a bookworm, yoga mat lover or even immersing yourself in the glorious sun, it serves as a place of solitude which is tough to find elsewhere. Located 3 km from town Once served as a racecourse and polo ground of the British officers Now houses an army museum but still remains mostly uninhabited Best suited for some relaxing and quiet picnics or power naps under the sun The golf course nearby adds to the scenic charm Devi Temple Tara Devi Temple can be found 7,000 feet up a hill, making it a great place for anyone seeking peace. This temple is not as popular as other religious places in Shimla which makes it an absolute must for those seeking solitude. With the stunning view of the entire Himalayan range alongside the fresh mountain breeze, it is perfect for just sitting back and enjoying the surroundings. Distance from Shimla: 13 km, Located near Shoghi Requires a short uphill trek, adding to the feeling of isolation In the winter, it has beautiful views of snow-capped peaks It is also a perfect location for deep meditation, silent prayer and even contemplation. The best time to go is early in the morning when there are few visitors. Hill Out of all places in Shimla, Potter's Hill looks like it is from another realm. This secluded forest area attracts a few, but it is still one of the unexplored regions of Shimla, making it ideal for seeking solitude. The hill gets its name from potters who used to extract clay from this site, but haw it serves as a perfect getaway for people looking to disconnect from the chaos and immerse themselves in nature. Just 5 km away from Shimla, near Summer Hill Sparsely visited deodar and rhododendron forests Great for long solitary walks, self picnics and pondering deeply Offers breathtaking sunset views with no one around No signs mark trails which could lead further into the woods for complete solitude Final Thoughts While Shimla remains a crucial hotspot for tourists, it does offer some of its corners where a traveler can feel truly alone. If you want to escape from the bustling crowd, Shimla surely exceeds expectations with its tranquil forest, quaint waterfalls, and stunning view. The next time you visit Shimla, make sure to forget what you have read in tourist brochures and focus on the not-so-popular fantastical regions and you will surely come back with your head feeling as clean as the mountain air itself.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Radisson Group looking at doubling hotel portfolio in India: South Asia MD Nikhil Sharma
Belgium-headquartered Radisson Hotel Group is eyeing to double its portfolio in India in the next few years, from over 200 operational hotels at present, with a focus on a sustainable and inclusive growth model, according to a senior company official. In an interview to PTI, Radisson Hotel Group Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer for South Asia Nikhil Sharma said its hotel in Pahalgam is currently operating at an occupancy rate of 20-30 per cent of what the occupancies were last year, in the aftermath of the recent terror attack on tourists that shook the nation. Notably, Radisson is the largest luxury hotel chain in Jammu and Kashmir , with seven hotels in operation, including five in the valley, and 2-3 hotels in the pipeline. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gentle Japanese hair growth method for men and women's scalp Hair's Rich Learn More Undo "We are, I would say, operating between 20 to 30 per cent in cities like Pahalgam. So in Srinagar, we are about 50 per cent of what the occupancies were last year. Last year, about 35 lakh tourists came into the valley. "This year, we are not seeing those numbers. But I truly believe that Kashmir is an all-weather destination, and we are going to be working with the government, making sure that we promote tourism in all seasons," Nikhil shared. Live Events He asserted that Radisson Hotels Group will require an additional workforce of 16,000 in India, as it ramps up its presence in the country with 8,000 keys in the pipeline, and growth centred around Tier-II, Tier-III and Tier-IV cities. Radisson Hotels Group's currently has around 19,000 employees. "This year we will open 20 hotels. In the last five years, we've signed 51 hotels, which has been the highest signings ever. Last year itself, we did 36 signings. ...Our growth will be in Tier-II, Tier-III, Tier-IV, cities, or even destinations that we want to be flag planters," he said. Nikhil shared that Radisson is looking at eventually doubling its portfolio in India in the next few years, because it's a "golden era" for the company, while underscoring the need for sustainable and inclusive growth and ensuring that the local community gets hired and works in its hotels. "We have close to 19,000 employees at the moment and every room takes 1.2 to 1.9 team members. We have a pipeline of about 8,000 more keys that we are going to be developing. So another 16,000 team members at any given point of time will be joining us in the near future," Sharma said.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Cloudburst, heavy rains wreak havoc in Uttarakhand: Char Dham yatra halted, workers missing, landslides hit highways
Relief work ongoing after landslide in Uttarakhand (Image: Uttarakhand Police) DEHRADUN: A devastating cloudburst in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi triggered widespread damage and chaos. leaving several workers missing, landslide and disrupting key pilgrimage routes in Uttarakhand. In the aftermath, the state government on Sunday suspended the Char Dham Yatra for 24 hours, citing a heavy rain alert and continuing weather-related risks. The incident has also led to blockages on crucial stretches of the Badrinath and Yamunotri highways, stranding pilgrims and prompting emergency response efforts. Yatra halted amid safety concerns Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey confirmed that the Char Dham Yatra had been paused as a precautionary measure. 'I have given instructions to the police and administration officials to stop the pilgrims in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Sonprayag and Vikasnagar,' he told ANI. Nine workers missing after cloudburst The cloudburst struck Silai Band on the Barkot–Yamunotri road late Saturday, triggering flash floods. The deluge caused severe damage to an under-construction hotel site at Baligarh, where 8-9 labourers were staying. All of them are currently reported missing. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Woman Discovers Buried Bunker in Her Garden, Then Sees the Reason Crowdy Fan Undo Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya confirmed the incident, adding that the Yamunotri route had also sustained significant damage. Over 40,000 cut off as 72 roads blocked across Kumaon Heavy rain on Saturday triggered widespread disruption across Uttarakhand, blocking 72 roads and cutting off over 40,000 people in the Kumaon region. Multiple villages were plunged into darkness due to snapped power lines, and emergency restoration efforts are underway in the worst-hit districts — Chamoli, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh. Authorities have also imposed a night travel ban on Char Dham highways to minimise risks from potential landslides and muckslides. The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) has warned of more rainfall across several districts on Sunday and Monday, based on IMD forecasts. Read more: 72 roads blocked, 40k people cut off Landslides block Badrinath Highway Heavy overnight rainfall led to landslides that blocked the Badrinath National Highway near Nandprayag and Bhanerpani. The route is vital for pilgrims travelling to Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines, prompting urgent restoration efforts. Chamoli Police posted on X, 'The Badrinath National Highway is blocked near Nandprayag and Bhanerpani. Work is underway to open the road.' Yamunotri route also affected In addition to the Badrinath highway, the Yamunotri Marg has been heavily impacted by flood debris and road damage. Pilgrimage to Yamunotri has been disrupted, and traffic movement remains restricted as a result of the cloudburst. Additionally, Landslide also occured at the Yamunotri highway washing away 10-12 meter of the path. "Heavy landslide in Silai Band on Yamunotri Highway due to excessive rainfall. 9 workers missing, 10 rescued and safely evacuated. 10-12 meter section of the highway washed away. NDRF, and police are engaged in relief and rescue operations," said the Uttarakhand police in a statement. Rescue operations in full swing Search and rescue operations were launched immediately by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police. Efforts are underway to locate the missing workers and secure the affected zones. Disaster response on high alert Vinod Kumar Suman, Secretary of Disaster Management, said the government is closely monitoring the situation. 'All departments have been directed to remain on standby and take necessary measures for the safety of residents and pilgrims,' he said, quoted by ANI. CM Dhami urges public caution Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami appealed to citizens to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel. 'Given the forecast of heavy rainfall in hilly and some plain areas of the state, people are advised to stay alert,' he said. Weather forecast remains grim The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued rainfall across several parts of Uttarakhand over the next 24 hours. Authorities are maintaining high alert across districts vulnerable to flash floods and landslides. Authorities urge restraint In view of the evolving situation, authorities have asked pilgrims and locals to avoid venturing into landslide-prone zones and to follow official advisories. Restoration of blocked highways remains a priority.
