Nainital, First established in 1936, the Corbett National Park known for the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers within its periphery, will soon have a new guest. The thick-skinned, plant-eating mammal, the mighty rhinoceros!
At the 14th State Wildlife Council held at Uttarakhand Secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, a joint decision was taken by the Uttarakhand Government and the State Forest Department where a crash of ten rhinoceros will make their way from Assam and West Bengal to their new home in Corbett Tiger Reserve, at a whopping cost of 4 crore.
According to Chief Conservator of Forests, Jairam, “we are very excited and will gradually introduce the rhinos over a period of four months,” adding, “Not only will this increase the biodiversity of Corbett. It will be a double bonanza for tourists who will get to see tigers along with rhinoceros within the park.”
The Corbett National Park, recently made headlines when Discovery Channel hosted Man Vs Wild by Bear Grylls and Prime Minister Modi from the park premises.
Known as home to Tigers, other animals found in abundance here are leopards, wild elephants, wild boars, deers that are easy to spot. The Park also boasts of the highest footfall of wildlife enthusiasts from home and abroad making a beeline, in the hope to catch a glimpse of the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. The park is open for seven months a year, but shut-shops like all National Parks when the Great Indian Monsoon comes marching in from the South.
With the recent Tiger Count throwing up interesting figures when it comes to tiger population within the Tiger Reserve, the State government is hopeful that the move will show positive results in increase in tourists as these ‘mighty rhinos’ make themselves at home, in Corbett National Park.
