Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) is one of India's richest wilderness areas. The
Tiger Reserve encompasses an area of 1288.34 sq km, which include two
Protected Areas: Corbett National Park (520.82 sq. km) and Sonanadi Wildlife
Sanctuary (301.18 sq. km). Established on 8th August, 1936, Corbett National
Park is the oldest National Park in the Indian subcontinent.
CTR
lies in the Shivalik-terai biotic province on the foothills of the
Himalayas. This has led to an amazing diversity in habitat types and
species. Elements of Himalayan flora and fauna can be seen here along with
those of peninsular India.
Govt. of India launched an ambitious
conservation programme Project Tiger on the banks of the Ramganga River in
Corbett Tiger Reserve on 1st April, 1973. The launch of Project Tiger
heralded the onset of scientific wildlife management in India. The major
objective of this programme is to secure the preservation of the highly
endangered species of tigers, (Panthera tigris tigris) and to use our
national animal as a symbol of our precious natural heritage to secure the
conservation of all major representative ecosystems across the tiger range.
Corbett Tiger Reserve today holds probably the second largest population of
free living tigers in the world. The reserve is thus one of the last
remaining strongholds, which holds a potentially viable population of this
majestic and critically endangered felid. Nearly 600 Asian elephants
(Elephas maximus) also have a home in this Tiger Reserve, and can be seen
wandering leisurely along its length and breadth. CTR, along with the Rajaji
National Park also represents the North -Western most limits of Tiger and
Elephant distribution in the Indian subcontinent.
Several
endangered species such as the Mugger, Gharial, Leopard cat, Goral, Serow,
and Mahaseer etc. have a significant presence in the region. Four species of
deer- sambar, spotted deer, hog deer and barking deer-with sloth bear,
jackal, jungle cat, yellow throated marten, smooth Indian otter and black
naped hare are also found. Along with, several identified and unidentified
elements of biodiversity such as grasses, mosses, lichens, fungi, insects,
etc. are also represented in this region.
The area is also home of
about 600 species of resident and migratory birds. This amazingly rich
avifaunal diversity represents nearly 6% of the total bird species
represented in the world and is more than the total bird diversity of
Europe. The 49 species of diurnal raptors found here are characteristic
elements of this avifauna. The avifaunal diversity is at its peak during
winters. .
