Things to keep in mind before planning a trip to Jim Corbett National Park

ByJyoti Arora

Summary – As soon as the COVID-19 scenario comes under control, people will start looking for places where they can unwind. International travel will be second-guessed by many, hence, travelling to places, within India would be a good idea. One such place within the nation that will be the perfect holiday destination is the all-too-popular, Jim Corbett National Park. The park is not only a treasure trove for nature lovers and thrill-seekers but also for the ones who want to witness magnificent, endangered wildlife thrive in their natural habitats! With that stated, if one is planning to visit this national park, then they would need to keep a few things in mind. Read on to know more!

India has several National Parks within its confines, but the Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest in the lot! It is also one of the most popular National Parks among tourists from India and beyond.

The park is located in Uttarakhand’s Nainital district and is home to more than 500 bird species, more than 400 species of plants and countless types of animals like –

  • Bengal tigers
  • Buffalo
  • elephant
  • Leopards
  • Jungle cat
  • Fishing cat
  • Leopard cat
  • Barking deer
  • Sambar deer
  • Hog deer
  • Chital
  • Sloth
  • Himalayan black bears
  • Indian grey mongoose
  • Otters
  • Yellow-throated martens
  • Himalayan goral
  • Indian pangolins
  • Langur
  • Rhesus macaques
  • Indian elephants
  • Local crocodiles and

Gharials – that was a long list, wasn’t it!?

It is best to keep in mind that the park remains closed from July to October but remains open for tourists from November to June.

Watching the numerous species of plants, animals and birds in their natural habitat, mentioned above, is an opportunity that should not be missed. At the same time, tourists visiting the National Park need to keep certain things in mind to ensure their visit conclude without a hiccup.

Some of them are as follows –

Avoid taking infants to the park!

If one is planning to take their children on a trip to this park then they are making a great decision as a parent. The reason is simple –

The national park has all the necessary attributes that can help a child to grow a sense of fondness as well as respect for Mother Nature and her creations. With that stated, one should refrain from taking infants/toddlers to the park.

Why?

Well, infants and toddlers are bound to cry when they are hungry, scared or irritated. This could lead to unwanted chaos in the seemingly quiet environment; thus keeping one from viewing wildlife altogether. Furthermore, toddlers are restless; hence the chances of them running off to the woods, amidst wildlife are pretty high!

As per the authorities, children above the age of 7 are permissible to enter the park – one should keep this in mind before looking at Jim Corbett National Park packages.

Avoid wandering into the park

One should never wander into the wilderness unsupervised. One can never know when a leopard or a tiger is stalking them. Furthermore, other unsuspecting animals could also harm a tourist as a way to defend themselves.

Remaining within the group and in front of the eyes of the guide/officials is always a good idea!

Carry a litter bag

One should respect the wilderness. It is the reason why they should not leave any of their ‘human trails’ behind. ‘Human trail’ here stands for litter. A wrapper here, a food packet there could alter the natural eco-system and may even invite unsuspecting wildlife to the accommodations within the park.

To avoid such instances, one should carry several large litter bags with them where they can store their biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste.

Carrying appropriate clothing and gear is a must.

Appropriate clothing is a must, and one should also carry appropriate gear like hiking boots (otherwise known as tactical boots – mostly worn by soldiers.), bug spray, a small first aid kit, a flashlight, etc. as well.

One should wear and pack clothes with shades of brown and green. This will ensure that the person will remain hidden as the same will blend with their surroundings. It will keep the person hidden from the eyes of an animal, thus allowing the same to witness the latter in its natural glory!

Conclusion

Jim Corbett National Park is one of the best places in India to have fun with loved ones. Apart from hosting endangered wildlife, the park is also a hotspot for thrill-seekers. Activities like river rafting, sport fishing, etc. are also offered here. One should keep the tips mentioned above in mind, and their trip will be a memorable one, for sure!