Adventure
of Uttaranchal
Uttaranchal Wildlife
The Snow-capped mountains,
rolling meadows, high-altitude lakes and dense forests in the hills of Uttranchal
Pradesh support exotic wildlife, birdlife and plant life. These wonderful creations
of nature add a dash of splendour to nature's abundance that exists in the environs
of the Garhwal and Kumaon regions.
In order to preserve this gift of wildlife
and enable visitors to have a privileged view of the same, the state of Uttar
Pradesh has created special areas, National Parks and Sanctuaries.
Askot
Sanctuary Pithoragarh, the picturesque hill district of Uttranchal
Pradesh, houses amidst its greens, the Askot Sanctuary, which adds more dazzle
to its already splendid beauty. Lying in the lap of Kumaon Himalayas at a height
of 5412 ft., snow-capped mountains peaks and fine temples are an integral part
of Pithoragarh. The highlights of the sanctuary are snow leopards, Himalayan black
bears, musk deers, snow cocks, tahra, bharals, monals, chirs, koklas, pheasants
and chukors.
Accessibility :
Air : The nearest airport is Pant
Nagar Nainital. (305 kms.)
Road : Askot is accessible by road via Tanakpur
- Pithoragarh or via Haldwani - Almora. Askot is 54 kms. from Pithoragarh.
Rail
: The nearest railhead is Tanakpur, 204 kms.
Accommodation :Forest
Rest House, Askot
Forest Rest House, Rugling
Forest Rest House, Tejam.
Corbett National Park India's
first and finest park spread over 520 sq. Kms. along the banks of the Ramganga
river, just 300 Kms. northeast of Delhi in the foothills of the Himalayas is the
Corbett National Park.
Established initially as Hailey National Park on
August 8, 1936, in honour of Sir Malcolm Hailey, then governor of the United Provinces,
the name was changed to Ramganga National Park in 1952. In 1957, it was finally
named as Corbett National Park in honour and memory of the late Jim Corbett, the
legendary hunter, naturalist-turned-author and photographer who had helped in
setting up the park and demarcating its boundaries.
The elevation of the
Park ranges between 400 mts. and 1210 mts. The multipurpose hydel dam at kalagarh
lies at the southwestern fringe of Corbett. the lake inside, with its scenic charm,
has added to the beauty of the park. Many species of water birds, both migrant
and non-migrant, frequent its water. Crocodiles and long snouted fish-eating gharial
have found new homes here and their numbers have increased. They can often be
seen sunbasking on the sand banks. For anglers too, the lake is a paradise. Fish,
such as the mashseer, abound in the lake and river. The Park offers difference
kinds of vegetation al along its varied topography which comprises hilly and riparian
areas, temporary masshy depressions, plateaus and ravines.
110 Spices of
trees, 51 species of shrubs and over 33 species of bamboo are found here. There
are three distinct seasons in Corbett, Cold Nov. to feb., Hot- March to June,
Rainy- July to Oct. Over 50 mammal, 580bird and 25 reptile species have been listed
in the Corbett. Also astounding is the insect life here. Corbett is a known haven
for tigers, largely owing to the success of WWF funded project-tiger that was
launched on 1st April 1973. Other animals which add to its attraction are : Leopard,
leopard cat, jungle cat, fishing cat,himalayan black bear, dhole, yellow-throated
morten, elephant, porcupine, chital, barking deer etc. Some of the birds commonly
seen here are osprey, crested serpent eagle, blackwinged kite, shikra, Pallas's
fishing eagle, spotted eagle, minivets, shrikes, babblers etc.
The Gharials,
descendants of the prehistoric reptilies, have made the park their home. The Indian
python, viper, cobra, krait and king cobra, the largest of the poisonous snakes,
also inhabit Corbett, as monitors and other lesser lizards.
General
Information : Area : 520.8sq.km.
Altitude : Between 400mt and 1,100mt.
Temperature
:
Summer : 46°C 19°C
Winter : 25°C 4°C
Main entry point
: Dhangarhi, Main Tourist Centre & Dhikala.
Tourist season : Nov. 15 to
June15
Accessibility :
Air : Nearest airport is Pantnagar,133kms.
Rail
: Nearest railhead is Ramnagar, 50kms. from Dhikala.
Road : Dhikala is connected
by a road to Dhikala- Ramnagar and from there to other parts of the state. Other
centers within the park are connected by fair-weather tracks. From Dhikala : Delhi
is 290kms. Lucknow 503kms.; Ranikhet 114kms.
Local Transport :Coaches and jeeps
can be hired from the National Park office at Ramnagar. Elephants are available
for wildlife viewing at Dhikala,khinanauli and Bijrani. Elephant rides conducted
every morning and evening.
Accommodation :Corbett Lodge, Ramnagar
Corbett jungle Resort, Kumeria
