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Feb 2005
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Tsunami-scared foreign tourists flock to Corbett    

Foreign tourists enjoying an elephant ride in Jim Corbett National Park. Tsunami scared foreign tourists are flocking to this northern tiger reserve

     Corbett (Uttaranchal): A record number of foreign tourists are flocking to the famous Jim Corbett wildlife sanctuary in Uttaranchal this winter. Scared in the aftermath of the December 26 tsunami wave attack, these foreigners, mainly from Europe and the US, have headed for the reserve, best known for its tigers. Spread over 1,000 square miles on the foothills of the Himalayan mountains, the park, named after the famous British hunter- turned-conservator Jim Corbett, is also the best place to sight elephant, deer and crocodile. "Jim Corbett National park is absolutely beautiful and has exceeded all our expectations. We saw tigers on a number of times. Actually on our first trip we were over the tigers, it was scary but we felt safe all the time," said an unidentified foreign tourist. Usually, more than 60,000 tourists visit Corbett Park every year, a bulk of them from abroad but this year the park authorities have been trying to cope up with an unexpected number of tourists. "Till now since last year there has been an increase of 23 percent of foreign tourists and I expect the number to increase in the coming months," said D.S. Khati, park's director. Located about 400 km from Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh, the park remains open from November 15 to June 15. It was set up on August 8, 1936 in South Patlidoon in the Kumaun region of the Himalayan foothills. Initially the park was in an area of 323.75 sq. km. In 1966, it was extended to 520.32 sq km (200.8 sq. miles). In the year 1973, as part of Project Tiger, Corbett National Park was declared India's very first Tiger Reserve.
- Feb 5, 2005

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