Destinations

Originally established as Hailey National Park, this sanctuary was later renamed in honor of the legendary conservationist and naturalist Jim Corbett. Best known for hunting man-eating tigers in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand between 1907 and 1939, Corbett was, above all, a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation—especially that of tigers. It was fitting, then, that Jim Corbett National Park became the launch site for India’s pioneering ‘Project Tiger’ initiative in 1973. The project aimed to preserve and protect India’s tiger population by maintaining ecological balance and conserving natural habitats, while also fostering a deeper relationship between humans and the wild. A key objective of Project Tiger is to promote environmental awareness and implement practical conservation efforts.

Covering an area of 1,288 square kilometers, the Corbett Tiger Reserve extends across the Nainital and Pauri districts of Uttarakhand. It also includes the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and several adjoining forest reserves. This diverse landscape, with its rivers, ridges, and streams, supports a rich ecosystem home to over 110 species of trees, 580 types of birds, 50 mammal species, and 25 kinds of reptiles. Among the park’s most iconic residents are the Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Elephant, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Jackal, Mongoose, and Crocodile.