Wildlife in and Around Corbett Tiger Reserve (A Photographic Guidebook)

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About the Book Corbett Tiger Reserve is one of the premier wildlife places in India to see the Royal Bengal Tiger and Asian Elephant, and it has many other lesser-known treasures of life too. This guidebook comprehensively portrays Corbett Tiger Reserve as a wildlife repository, visual treat of the natural ecosystem and memorable ecotourism destination. It has been conceived to entice nature enthusiasts with the urge to understand nature and the ecosystem in a holistic manner. This photographic guidebook, through more than 1500 high-quality pictures, helps readers to identify about 700 species of animals (including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies, and others) and plants found in Corbett Tiger Reserve and its neighbouring forests. It also provides a glimpse into the secret life of animals and plants, assimilated from the latest scientific publications, curated and presented as easy-to-understand text. The route maps and pictorial details of each ecotourism zone provide a virtual tour of Corbett Tiger Reserve, and will help readers plan their trips with ease. This guidebook is also helpful for exploring wildlife in nearby parts of the Himalayan foothills of Uttarakhand, with similar geoclimatic conditions. Discover the wonders of nature and an awareness of conservation with this user-friendly guide to Corbett Tiger Reserve.

About the Authors Rajesh Chaudhary: A passionate nature lover and keen observer with a Ph.D. in Biological Science. He is presently working as Associate Professor, teaching Biomedical Science at Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi. He has been observing, photographing and documenting nature as a hobby, for more than 20 years. He has published several articles, chapters, notes, etc. He believes that curiosity, passion, awareness and interest in the natural world can transform one into a guardian of nature. Vinesh Kumar: A nature enthusiast and a burgeoning nature photographer, who adores nature for both its living and non-living marvels. He has a zeal towards the conservation of natural resources. Since childhood, he has had an inclination for exploring the wonders of Mother Nature. He takes pleasure in showcasing the allure of nature through his art of photography.

Foreword Corben Tiger Reserve (CTR), the Land of Roar, Trumpet and Song is one of India's iconic wilderness areas globally acknowledged for its scenic beauty and assemblage of floral and faunal species. Mainland Asia's first National Park established in 1936 and launch site of Project Tiger on 1" April 1973, Corbett has a long history of scientific wildlife management and many significant conservation milestones to its name. Corbett Tiger Reserve, which today includes the Corbett National Park, the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and the surrounding Reserve Forests, spreads over 1288.31 sq km. and has been notified on 26th February 2010 as a Tiger Reserve by the Government of Uttarakhand. It is also a shining example of a region seeped into conservation awareness and respect for nature since times immemorial. Corbett Tiger Reserve occupies a special place in the hearts of all who hold the cause of conservation dear. Every year, a large number of Indian and international visitors come to soak into the delightful charms that Mother Nature has on offer here. Many are repeat visitors who were introduced to Corbett by their elder generations and take delight in coming here again and again with their younger family and friends. Many also make time to visit nearby areas in the Ramnagar and Terai West Forest Divisions such as Sitabani, Powalgarh Conservation Reserve and Phanto Sometimes visitors to Corbett and nearabout are primed for just that one wild experience the sighting of the tiger, of which over 250 find a home here! While the sight of our national animal is indeed a memory to cherish, it is by far not the only treasure on offer here. The mosaic of tall sal forests along with its associates, riverine forests and grasslands, rivers and lake are home to a complex web of plant and animal life including various rare, threatened and endangered species. Corbett is home to over 700+ species of birds of the over 1300 species reported from India and this also makes it a very special birding destination both for the expert and the budding birder. This delightful book by Sri Rajesh Chaudhary and Sri Vinesh Kumar is a welcome addition to publications on Corbett Tiger Reserve. As a photographic guide book, it leads the reader through the unique charms of this wonderland, introducing them not only to the natural and historical setting of this place but also to many of its denirens. As a guidebook, it provides handy tips on identification of various species of plants, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies etc. as also techniques for their photography. Without being too technical or overbearing, it gently guides the reader to better understand and appreciate nature and the web of life. The segments on the life of a Dung Beetle, honey bees and the Termite Mound as a marvel of nature add a special flavour to it. I am sure this All-in-One Guide will find favour with visitors who wish to make their trip more meaningful. It will also be a useful reference to everyone with an interest in Corbett.

Preface The forests of Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) are among 32% of the planet's green areas. which are called Virgin Forests or technically Primary Forests in the popular sense, primary forests are naturally grown forests that have never been significantly disturbed by human activity since their origin, possibly hundreds, thousands or maybe even millions of years ago. These forests are rich repositories of the earth's biodiversity, harbouring many new species waiting to be discovered. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, worldwide, the area under primary forests has shrunk by over 80 million hectares since 1990. Creating forest cover by planting trees is not a substitute for primary forests, and as the most intelligent creature of the planet, it is the responsibility of humans to protect this natural heritage. Leisure outings to places with ample flora and fauna are growing in popularity by leaps and bounds. At CTR, nature is at its fullest glory, and one can bask in the invigorating effect of nature on the mind and body. It is at Corbett Tiger Reserve, where the concept of 'conservation of nature first originated in the country and got translated into reality. It narrates the success story of conservation of the natural world by the participation of local stakeholders. The flourishing ecotourism here that attracts lakhs of national and International tourists every year has played a key role in the economic development of the surrounding areas and better livelihoods for the local people. Way back in January 2016, after we had explored the dry deciduous forest of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, we began visiting CTR with the same intention. It would not have taken more than a couple of visits to feel that this forest at the foothills of the Himalayas is full of life. And, there is plenty of nature to observe, to listen, to imbibe, and to photograph. Yet, every safari trip ends in tiger-talks among visitors. Our instant reaction was, to portray less sought after natural treasures of CTR! Of the several challenges we came across during six years of exploration, getting a night stay permit had been always the toughest job Safariing for trees, herbs, butterflies, and birds were the most unforgettable events. We repeatedly visited ecotourism zones to collect photographs, and other data on biodiversity of CTR There may still be a long way to go before a complete account of flora and fauna of CTR is documented. Nevertheless, the book presents flora and fauna that are most likely to be spotted in various ecotourism zones. We wish to apprise the readers that most of the photographs in the book have been clicked in the CTR or its vicinity. The Covid-19 pandemic delayed the publication of this book. However, the lockdown period facilitated ample discussions with naturalists and experts to improve its content. We are hopeful that our work will augment the experience of those visiting Corbett Tiger Reserve, and offer them an in-depth understanding of this precious natural ecosystem.