Jim Corbett National
Park
The National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary
of India, offer a visitor a wonderful spectacle of life. In
its full diversity that encompasses a wide range of spectrum
of existence on land, in the sky and in water. Corbet National
Park is one of the most fascinating specimens of nature’s
bounty. This park, situated in the foothills of the Shivalik
Range along the banks of meandering Ram Ganga, is the paradise
of wildlife. At an altitude from 400 to 1 ,000 meters and covering
an area of 525.8 sq. km, this park was founded in 1935 as Haley
National Park, after the name of the then Governor Sir Malcolm
Haley, Later, it was changed after the name of the famed hunter,
author, conservational list and naturalist Jim Corbett who spent
a major part of his life in the Kumaon region. Under the Project
Tiger it has now been made a Tiger Preserve. The Park abounds
in tiger panther, bear, gharial, barking deer, ghural, porcupine,
python boar, hyena, rhesus monkey and a large variety of birds.
For the angler there are huge masher, trout, and goonch. It
is also rich in vegetation with flaming forests, lofty hills,
dales and gushing streams. Fishing permits are available from
Assistant Warden, Dhakila, at a nominal fee but shooting with
firearm is strictly prohibited.
U.P. Hill Development Corporation conducts Package Tours to
Corbett Park from New Delhi. For reservation and other information
contact Tourist Officer, Up Govt., Chandralok Building, Jan
path, New Delhi should be contacted.
Nainital
This famous hill station of UP and the
erstwhile summer capital of the province, is named after the
Lake on the shores of which stands the Temple of Goddess Naina
Devi. The emerald mountain lake at a height of 1,938 meters
is sacred to the people. Comfortably cool in summers this hill
station has the following spots of tourist interest.
Naina (Cheena) Peak
2,611 meters in height, Naina Peak is most
favored picnic resort. It offers a panoramic, soul-captivating
view of the Himalayas. A charming view of the town and the lake
is also obtainable from the peak.
Laria Kanta
This second highest peak around Nainital
(2,481 m.) also provides a magnificent view of the snow-capped
Himalaya ranges and the suburban lake area.
Land’s End
This scenic spot at a height of 2,118 meters
offers a wonderful view of Khurpa Tal and terraced fields below
on the hill side.
Dorothy Seat
This spot at an altitude of 2,292 meter,
has a memorial to an English lady named Dorothy. Who is believed
to have been killed here in an air-crash. The spot provides
a sectional view of the town and nearby region.
Hanunmangarhi
This holy place (2,118 m.) has a Hanuman
Temple, which attracts the devout Hindus in thousands. It also
provides the pilgrim with a glorious sunset of the Himalayas.
State Observatory
Not far from Hanumangarhi, the Observatory
(1 .951 m.) is famous among other things for optical trekking
of earth satellites.
Kilbury
It is a forest place (2,194 m), quiet and
serene, best for a peaceful weekend. Tiffin Top, with a telescope
is another picnic spot. Nearby lie the following spots; Bhowali
(1 1.27 km.) Bhirn Tal (22.53 km.), Nankuchia Tal (26.27 km.),
Sat Tal (20.92 km.), Mukteshwar (57.49 km.) andJeolipote (17.70
km.) are better known spots for their bracing environs, scenic
beauty, fishing, etc.
The nearest railhead for Nainital is Kathgodam, about 35 km.
away. It is very well connected with Nainital with an all-weather
metalled road on which buses ply regularly. It is 322 km. from
Delhi by bus. Nainital has a wide range of hotels, Tourist Homes,
Youth Hostel, Inspection House, Cottages, YMCA, YWCA Hostels
and a number of very good restaurants.
Ranikhet
Altitude :
1829 meters
Climate :
Surniner—Max. 32.2°C Min
8-4°C Winter—Max.
72°C
Min 3.3°C
Summer :
Light wollens.
Clothing :
Winter- Heavy woollens.
Best
Season : March-June
and September-November
Language :
Hindi, Pahadi and English
This hill station. literally meaning the “Queen’s
Field”. Surrounded by the giant pine and oak, with its
bracing climate, serene envinons, glistening snow-capped mountains
around, attracts the visitors almost all the year round. The
legend goes that once a Queen encamped here an gave this name
to the locality. Whatever be the source of this legend the bill
resort has quite justified its name with its sylvan beauty.
Mountaineering, trekking, shooting and angling facilities. The
spot wonderfully commands the captivating views of the snow-clad
central Himalayan Mountains. It came into existence in 1969.
The places of special interest here are:
Chaubatia, Kalika, Maiphali and Dunagiri. The last one is a
religious centre. Ranikhet is 84 km. away from Kathgodarn, the
nearest railhead. Ranikhet is 361 km. from Delhi. Besides Western
style hotels Ranikhet has Rest Houses, a Tourist Bungalow and
Various Dharamshalas.
Almora
This all weather hill resort is famous
for its salubrious climate, natural beauty and snow capped hills
around it. Situated at a height, of 1,646 meters on a 5 km.
long saddle shaped ridge, Almora is a quiet hill station and
the district headquarter. The name of Almora is a corrupt form
of Kilmora, which means red sorrel (an herb of Genus Rumex)
which grows here in abundance. Because of its so peaceful and
healthy environs it has attracted many persons of international
standing in the fields of art, science and religion. It is also
famous for hiking, trekking and expedition facilities it offers
the visitors. It is 127 kms, away from Pantnagar Airport and
90 km. from the nearest railway station at Kathgodam. The distance
between Delhi and Almora is 387 km.
Kausani
53 km. away from Almora, Kausani, at a
height of 1,890 meters, is a celebrated scenic spot, favorably
compared with Switzerland. The wonderful and captivating views
of the snowy Himalayas, which Kausani offer, can inspire even
a great pessimist and down-cast with hope and enthusiasm. Kausani,
the best place for those who want to be far from the madding
crowd and sick hurry of modern life.
Trekking in Uttarakhand
With many famous stations and shrines,
this region also offers ideal trekking conditions. The best
season is May-June or September-October. Further information
regarding trekking and equipment on hire, etc., can be obtained
from Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, Rajpur Road, Dehradun or from
Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd; Secretariat Building, Nainital.
Foreign travelers desirous of trekking, hiking or mountaineering
in this part of the Uttarakhand, comprising Badrinath, Kedarnath,
Pindari Glaciers and other places close to the borders should
obtain special permits from the Ministry of Home Affairs. North
Block, New Delhi. The following places offer ideal trekking
conditions: Pindari Glacier; Milan Glacier; Yamunotri Dodital
Uttarkashi; Gangotri-Gomukh-Nandan van Tapovan; Roopkunda Lake.
For more details the desirous persons should contact the various
Vikas Nigams of the region.
Pilgrimage
With many holy shrines and Teerthas pasited
in the region, Uttarakhand has been a pilgrims’ paradise.
Pilgrimage to Badri-Kedar, Yamunotri-Gangotri has been a cherished
ambition of the devout. The desirous must contact the concerned
offices for getting more details about these holy journeys.
For more details about such journeys we have given a sketch
chart depicting Gangotri, Yamunotri and other such holy places
for the convenience of the pilgrims.
