FLORA

Diverse flora of Corbett

Different habitat types of Corbett i.e. mountains, sal forests, chauras, khair-sisssoo forests and rivers have their distinct plant communities. More than 600 species of trees, shrubs, herbs, bamboos, grasses, creepers and ferns have been identified in the park.

Trees

The most prominent trees found in Corbett are sal, khair and sissoo (see habitats and ecosystems). Many other species that add to the diversity are found scattered throughout the park.

Chir pine (Pinus roxburghi)

it is the only conifer in the park and is found on ridgetops such as Chir Choti, but is relatively low in Gajar Sot. Banja oak (Quercus leucotrichophora), which is essentially a Himalayan species, grows on the upper course near Kandy.

Palm trees

includes the Khajur or Date Tree (Phoenix sp.), which occurs in open areas. Wallachia densiflora is a rare palm characteristic of the Eastern Himalayas but occurs in Corbett near Sultan.

Kanju (Holoptelia integrifolia), Jamun (Syzygium cumini) and Aamla (Emblica officinalis)

are found scattered in the lower regions, while Tendu (Diospyros tomentosa) is found in humid regions. Other important trees are Bel (Aegle marmalos), Kusum (Schleichera oleosa), Mahua (Madhuca indica) and Bakli (Anogeissus latifolia).

Flowering trees

lend color to the forests of Corbett. The main ones include Kachnaar (Bauhinia variegata) with pink to white flowers, Semal (Bombax ceiba) with large red flowers, Dhak or Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperma) with bright orange flowers, Madaar or Indian Coral (Erythrinia indica) with scarlet red flowers and Amaltas (Cassia fistula) with bright yellow chandelier flowers.
Some species of trees that do not occur naturally in the park have been artificially planted in and around the dwellings. These include teak (Tectona grandis), eucalyptus, jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosaefolia), silver oak (Gravillea robusta) and brushwood (Callistemon viminalis) and can be seen in and around forest roadhouses.

Shrubs

HelicterisShrubs flowers dominate understory trees and scrub areas. There are several species of Ber (Zizyphus sp.) in open areas and they provide food and habitat for many birds and animals. Maror phali (Helicteres isora) is an easily noticeable shrub. Its fruits take the form of twisted spiral pods. Caraunda (Carissa sp.), with pinkish-white flowers and sour fruit, occurs under sal. Hisar (Rubus ellipticus) has yellow, juicy, mulberry-like fruits that animals enjoy.
Jhau (Tamarix dioica) is found along the Ramganga basin on sandy or stony soil. Colebrookia oppitifolia and Adhatoda vasica occur in nallahs.

Bamboo

In some parts of Corbett, the vegetation is dominated by bamboo forest. The main species is the male bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) with clustered stout stems and shiny papery stem sheaths.

Bamboos have a special flowering process. All the bamboos in the forest bloom together once every few decades. After flowering, fruiting and seed dispersal, all individuals die together.

Herbs

Herbs include many species of pinnipeds belonging mainly to the pea and starwort families. They are most visible in pastures or heaths and in open areas.

Drymaria diandra is a spreading annual herb with cordate leaves and is found in moist shady places. Bhilmora (Rumex hastatus) is a sour tasting herb used to make chutney. Other species found in Corbett are Euphorbia hirta, hairy herb, Indigofera liniofolia with bright red flowers, Three leaf clover (Oxalis sp.), Solanum sp. and Leonotis nepatafolia (orange flowers and pointed round fruits).

Grasses

Corbett has more than 70 species of grasses Grasses form the largest group of plant species in Corbett with more than 70 species recorded. They inhabit various habitats, especially chauras.

These include Kansi (Saccharum sp.), Themeda arundinacea, Baib or Bhabar (Eulaliopsis binata), Narkul (Arundo donax), Tiger grass (Thysanolaena maxima), Khus Khus (Vetiveria zizanioides), Cymbopogon flexuosus (a tufted grass with pleasant aromatic leaves ), Aristida cyanantha (found between boulders), Neyraudia arundinacea (with pale brown inflorescences) and Heteropagon contortus (spear grass with conspicuous sharp blades that cling to clothing and penetrate the skin).

Woody climbers

Climbing trees in the park are Milletia auriculata, Crypotepris buchanani, Porana paniculata (dense canopy with profuse white flowers), Clematis gouriana (shrubby tangle with tendril-like branches) and Bauhinia vahlii (flat rusty hairy pods, large leaves used to make pattal).

Epiphytes and orchids

Epiphytes are plants that grow above ground on other plants and obtain nutrients and water from rain, air, dust, etc. They are found on sals and other trees in the park.

These include Dendrophthoe falcata (scarlet red flowers), Scurrula cordifolia (hairy coating on shoots and leaves), Vanda testacea (orchid with flat keeled leaves and beautiful spiked flowers), Cuscuta reflexa (or ‘Dodder’, with an interlaced yellow string like habit , growing on bushes).

Wetland vegetation

The semi-aquatic species that inhabit the swampy areas of Corbett include Polygonum, Veronica, Hypericum and Ranunculus etc.

Non-flowering plants Mushrooms help recycle nutrients

Non-flowering plants include ferns, mosses and lichens. Ferns are found in cool shady wet areas along streams. These include Adiantum, Pteris, Ophioglossum reticulatum (Snake’s Tongue Fern found below Salem), Equisetum (growing on sandbars along streams). Many species of fungi are found on rotting logs and accumulating debris. These include mushrooms, exquisitely patterned toadstools and puffballs. The presence of lichens symbolizes good air and environment and many species of colorful lichens grow on the trunks of mature trees and boulders throughout Corbett. Liverworts and mosses are found on damp logs.

FAUNA

A tiger

Corbett has one of the highest densities of tigers. The tiger (Panthera tigris) is perhaps the most famous of India’s wild animals. It symbolizes the power of nature and finds an important place in our culture, mythology and legends. He was worshiped as the guardian and ruler of the forest.

Tigers are believed to have evolved in East Asia (China) about 2 million years ago. They then dispersed to other parts of Asia. There were eight subspecies of tiger, three of which became extinct.

Today, this consummate carnivore is a critically endangered species, although it once ranged freely throughout most of Asia. India is home to the largest population of wild tigers in the world. It is estimated that only 5,000 to 7,500 tigers survive in the world. Of these, subspecies found in the Indian subcontinent, the Bengal tiger has 3,700 to 4,500 surviving members, more than three-quarters of which are in India.

The terai-bhabar region, including Corbett, was once the best place to find tigers, but this habitat has shrunk tremendously due to development-induced land-use changes.

The tiger has always been closely associated with the Corbett National Park – earlier through the writings of Jim Corbett and other shikaris and later due to the launch of Project Tiger, India’s tiger conservation program launched from the park’s land on April 1, 1973.

Tigers hunt deer (preferably sambar, but also chital and barking deer) and wild boar. They choose the largest of the prey species because larger prey represents more energy per effort. For this reason, sambar population density is considered a good indicator of tiger presence. Occasionally, tigers will also attack baby elephants and take smaller species, including monkeys, birds, reptiles and fish.

Adult tigers are mostly solitary, except for females with cubs. However, several are sometimes seen together.

In general, both female and male tigers maintain home ranges that do not overlap with the home range of another tiger of the same sex. Females have home ranges of approximately 20 km2, while males are much larger, covering 60–100 km2. Male home ranges cover the territory of many smaller female home ranges. The male protects his territory and the females in it from competing males.

To mark their territories, tigers use several means to advertise this fact. Urine and anal gland secretions are sprayed on trees, bushes and rocks in various places in a certain area. They also make claw marks on tree trunks. Such marking helps to avoid physical confrontation, as all intruders in the territory recognize the smell of the owner and generally avoid.

Among the big cats in India, tigers have the greatest reputation as man-eaters. Several legendary man-eating tigers were known, especially in the terai-bhabar region. Such tigers have been immortalized through the writings of Jim Corbett. For example, Champawat the tiger is said to have killed 434 people before Corbett finally managed to kill him. However, in recent times, with the huge decline in tiger numbers, attacks on humans are relatively rare. Cannibalism is usually the result of a tiger being unable to catch its usual prey when it is too old to hunt or when it has an injury.

As a carnivore and master predator, the tiger sits at the top of the food pyramid. It keeps the population of ungulates under control and thus maintains the ecological balance.

A tiger is an indicator of a healthy wilderness ecosystem. If the tiger is protected, our forests will also live. And forests mean good air and plenty of fresh water, both of which affect our own survival.

Asian elephant

The elephant, the largest of land mammals, has been an integral part of the history, mythology, tradition, culture and religion of India. There are three surviving species of elephant in the world, one in Asia and two in Africa. The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is widespread on the Indian subcontinent and in Southeast Asia. Unlike African species, Asian elephants have been domesticated for thousands of years and were used in medieval warfare, for temples and as a work animal.

A herd of wild elephants in the chaura The Asian elephant was once found throughout South and Southeast Asia, but has now been reduced to a few scattered populations due to human activities such as the conversion of forest areas to agriculture, the construction of dams and construction works such as roads and canals. In addition to habitat limitations, these large-ranging animals also face obstacles on their traditional migration routes. Poaching of elephants for their ivory is another serious problem facing elephants.

Elephants are notable for their remarkable intelligence and keen memory. This is because elephants have the largest brains in the animal kingdom. Males have tusks and such elephants are commonly called “tusks”. There are also males without tusks, called “makhnas”. An elephant’s trunk is the most distinctive and versatile organ and can be used for feeding and drinking, breathing, trumpeting, herding young, and sometimes fighting.

Asian elephants live in different habitats. They prefer a combination of grassland, scrub and forest.

Elephants are strictly vegetarian and prefer grasses, leaves, tree stems, vines, bamboos and shrubs. Sometimes they also make their way into fields in villages near forests and cash crops.

Due to their large size and high requirements for food, elephants are constantly on the move looking for food. They undertake long-distance migrations, following the same seasonal migration routes generation after generation. However, in recent times, migration routes have been interfered with by human activity, which has seriously affected their movements.

Elephants are social and live in groups consisting of females and their young, led by the oldest and most experienced female. Living in herds is useful for collective defense, better care and education of the young, and greater opportunities for mating. Adult males usually travel alone and associate with herds of females for mating purposes.

Corbett Tiger Reserve has about 700 Asian elephants. They are part of the migratory population that also lives in Rajaji National Park. There used to be far fewer elephants in Corbett, but their population has grown significantly in the park in recent decades. Although elephants are present throughout the park, they are most easily spotted at Dhikala chaur, Phulai chaur and near the Saddle Dam.

Deer

Corbett has four species of deer. They are the most frequently observed large mammals in the park.

Chital, the most common Corbett deer Chital (Axis axis) or spotted deer is the most common species of Corbett deer. It is also the most beautiful, with characteristic white spots on a reddish-brown body. Only the male chital has antlers that can grow up to 1 m in length. These antlers are periodic

Chital live in large herds and are usually seen in open grasslands. Grasses form the chital’s main diet, but they also depend on fallen fruit, flowers and leaves from forested areas. They prefer to graze in short pastures without much cover, as they can watch out for predators such as tigers in such areas. Tree cover is also required as a shelter and food source.

Chitals are most active in the early morning and evening and rest in cool places during the day. They emit alarm calls to warn the herd when a potential threat or predator is detected.

Chital are ecologically important as they form an important prey base for carnivores such as leopards and tigers. They also help in seed dispersal of plants including grasses and also tree and shrub species like amla, ber etc.

Pig in chaurPara or hog deer (Axis porcinus) is the rarest of Corbett’s deer. It is closely related to the chital but is smaller in size. Unlike most other deer, the hog is not given to jumping over obstacles, but instead escapes its predators by crouching and hiding under obstacles. Its limbs are short and its hind legs are longer than its front legs. This anatomy raises his rear to a higher level than his shoulders.

This species mostly inhabits grasslands, marshy areas and clearings and is usually nocturnal. Unlike the chital, deer are solitary but sometimes feed in small groups. Deer are threatened by the destruction of habitats, especially the drainage of swampy areas and changes in water regimes.

Sambar (Cervus unicolor) is the largest deer found in Corbett. Its body is largely a uniform gray-brown color, except for creamy white on the backs and under the tail. Males have antlers up to 1 m long, which are regularly shed and replaced. Male sambars also have a thick mane around their necks.

Sambar is the largest deer CorbettSambar is mostly found in dense forests with gently sloping to steep topography. They are known to reach altitudes of up to 3,700 m. The sambar browses on leaves, berries, fallen fruit, leaves and fine bark of young trees and also grazes on grasses and sedges. These deer are mostly active loners, but can be found in small groups during mating season.

They emit a loud, repeating alarm when they sense a threat. These signals are used by trackers to locate tigers.

Sambar is the most important prey species for a tiger and the presence of sambar usually indicates good tiger habitat.

Kakar or barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) is the smallest of Corbett’s deer.

The body color is golden brown on the dorsal (upper) side and lighter on the underside. Male cockerels have short antlers growing on long bony projections called burrs. Instead of antlers, females have only bony knob-like burrs on their heads. Males also have club-shaped upper canines that curve sharply outward from the lips.

Barking deer in the Kakar forest are mostly found in areas with dense vegetation and hilly terrain. They prefer to be near water sources. Cockroaches are omnivorous and feed on herbs, fruit, grass, tree bark, as well as bird eggs and small animals. They are solitary and quite territorial.

Kakar emit a typical canine alarm “bark” when they sense the presence of a predator. Barking can last continuously for up to an hour. They are active both during the day and at night.

They are the prey of tigers, leopards, jackals and pythons.

Other mammals

Leopard (Panthera pardus) is another big cat found in Corbett. Compared to tigers, leopards are smaller, more graceful and have a long, agile body that has rosettes instead of stripes. He also has the ability to break trees. Leopards are very versatile, adapting to different terrains as well as a wide variety of prey, which includes everything from insects and rodents to large ungulates. Leopards hunt mostly at dusk and at night. They also ambush their prey by jumping from trees.

The leopard’s call is called ‘saw’. Cutting can be described as a short hoarse vocalization.

When leopards live near populated areas, they attack and kill livestock and domestic dogs. Sometimes they attack people too.

Although highly adaptable, leopards face many challenges to survival. This includes habitat destruction, poaching for their skins and hunting as killers.

There are two species of primates found in Corbett. The rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) is a langur, an excellent climber and the most common monkey of the Indian subcontinent. It lives in a wide range of habitats – from the plains to the Himalayas at an altitude of up to 3700 m – and is quite adaptable to humans. Its body is earthy brown in color and its buttocks are reddish. Rhesus is quite a lively and loud animal. It lives in large groups of up to two hundred individuals. These groups are led by large dominant males (called alpha males). It is omnivorous and often eats roots, herbs, fruits, insects, crops and small animals.

Hanuman or Common Langur (Semnopithecus entellus) has an unmistakable appearance – light body, dark face and very long tail. It is considered sacred in many parts of India and is found in many environments, from the edge of the desert to forests.

Langurs are vegetarians and feed mainly on leaves, buds, flowers, fruits and seeds. Feeding activity is generally early morning and late afternoon.

Like monkeys, langurs live in groups led by dominant males. They are remarkably agile in trees and can make horizontal jumps of 3–5 m.

The Himalayan goral or Ghural (Nemorhaedus goral) is a goat-like animal found in the Himalayas between 1,000 and 4,000 m. It lives in small groups on sparse mountain slopes and rock faces with crevices. It is remarkably sure-footed and can move at high speed even over nearly vertical terrain. Gorals are active at dawn and dusk when they come to feed on grass, leaves, twigs, nuts and fruit.

The goral is mostly gray to brown in color, with a lighter breast at the base of the neck and short, conical, backward-curved horns with irregular furrows. Gorals are well camouflaged, making them very difficult to spot, especially when stationary.

The wild pig (Sus scrofa) is the ancestor of the domesticated pig living in moist forests and scrub. It has long, curved canines (called tusks) that are used for scooping up food and as weapons. Feral pigs feed on roots, tubers, fruits, shrubs, bird eggs, insects, mice, snakes, frogs and carrion. They usually move in groups during the day and at night.

Jackals can be seen at forest resting places The Asian jackal (Canis aureus) is a member of the dog family. It occurs in open countryside, on short pastures and has adapted to life near human settlements.

It comes out at night to find food. Its omnivorous diet consists of deer, rodents, hares, birds, eggs, reptiles and amphibians, and various fruits, especially ber and jamun. The jackal is also an opportunistic scavenger who readily attacks trash cans.

Corbett is one of the few places in India where three species of otter coexist. Otters are an important part of the ecology of the park, especially the Ramganga and its tributaries. Otters are indicators of a healthy river ecosystem. These small beasts are part of the aquatic food chain and live mostly along rivers and spend a lot of time in the water. They make their dens among rocks and boulders along perennial streams and rivers.

The otter species found in Corbett Park are the river otter (Lutra lutra monticola), the smooth-coated otter (Lutra perspicillata) and the small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinerea). Fish make up most of the otters’ diet, with the exception of the small-clawed otter, which feeds mainly on insects and other invertebrates.

Otters face the threat of habitat elimination due to dam construction, intensive fishing, stone and gravel mining in rivers, and changes in land use for agriculture or shrimp farming. Poaching in the hilly regions of India for otter skins is also a threat.

Birds Corbett has an amazing variety of birds of prey

The great diversity of habitats in Corbett is reflected in the impressive variety of bird life. More than 600 species have been recorded in and around the park, many of which are rare and endangered. they include almost fifty species of raptors, which give the bird fauna a unique character.

This natural wealth of bird life is further enhanced during the winter with the arrival of many migrants – some such as the eagle and ducks, coming from as far as East Africa, Europe and Central Asia. Winter also brings many Himalayan birds from the higher areas who come to take refuge in Corbett to escape the extreme conditions in the mountains above. These include many flycatchers, a great barbet and a walleye.

Gharial and Mugger

Corbett is one of the best places to see gharials Corbett has two of the three crocodiles of India. It is considered one of the best places to see the Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), one of the largest and most endangered crocodiles in the world. It is found only in the Indian subcontinent. It gets its name from the ‘ghara’ or cup-like structure on the snout, which is found only in males.

The gharial’s slender snout is adapted for eating fish, so it does not attack humans or larger mammals. Young gharials can eat invertebrates and insects.

Ramganza is home to about 100 gharials, which can be seen swimming in its deep pools or basking in the sun on its banks. These were released as part of the gharial conservation program. Although saved from extinction, the gharial is still critically endangered. The main threats are – loss of habitats (fast-flowing rivers) and nesting grounds (sandbanks) due to the construction of dams and dams that alter water flow and human use of fish (depletion of prey species).

The backwaters of Corbett, especially the Ramganga reservoir, are home to the Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris). Robbers are more general carnivores and take a variety of animals as food. Marauders are also found in Nakatal, Corbett’s only lake. Mahseer and other fish

Corbett is home to many species of freshwater fish. The Ramganga, Palain, Sonanadi and Mandal rivers provide vital habitat and breeding ground for them due to moderate temperature, low headwaters, presence of deep pools, boulders and gravel on the streambeds and negligible pollution. Fish form an essential link in the food chain for many key species such as gharials, otters, ospreys, kingfishers, ospreys, storks, owls, herons, darters and pelicans.

The most famous of the fish is the golden mahseer (Tor putitora), a large freshwater river fish belonging to the carp family. It has a beautiful appearance – a sap green body with bright orange scales. Mahseer is considered to be one of the most prized fish for fishermen around the world.

Clean water, which is increasingly scarce, is a major habitat requirement for the mahseer. Its population has decreased due to habitat loss. Loss of breeding grounds is also a threat, as the mahseer requires shallow, clean, well-oxygenated water for spawning, which again is hard to find these days. The decline of mahseers is also due to the construction of dams on their migration routes, which prevent access to popular upstream spawning grounds. Ramganga is one of the most preserved rivers for mahseers in India. Other important Corbett species are Goonch (Bagarius bagarius), Indian Trout (Barilius bola) and Rohu (Labeo rohita)

Sustainable fishing, as opposed to intensive fishing, benefits the conservation of prized fish such as mahseer. Fishing is allowed in certain areas in the Corbett buffer zone after obtaining permission from the forest department. Herpetofauna

There are several species of snakes in Corbett. Reptiles live in a large number of different habitats. But apart from the gharial and robber, Corbett’s other reptiles have not been studied in much detail. Several species of snakes have been reported from there, including the king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) and the Indian cobra (Naja naja). Indian rock pythons (Python molurus) are often seen and there are also several species of vipers, kraits and boa constrictors.

The Bengal monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis) is the most imposing of Corbett’s lizards. The list includes nine other species of Agama, Geckos and Skinks

Amphibians inhabit a wide variety of niches from woodlands to freshwater marshes and from urban areas to mountain streams. There are currently seven species of toads and frogs in the park.