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Wildlife Conservation Efforts

150 years of Jim Corbett

Places in newsPrelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Why in the News?

As India marks Jim Corbett’s 150th birth anniversary (1875–2025), it reflects on his legacy as a hunter, naturalist, author, and conservationist—after whom Corbett National Park is named.

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/150-years-of-jim-corbett-will-the-real-carpet-sahib-please-stand-up 

Who was Jim Corbett?

  • Full Name: Edward James Corbett (1875–1955), nicknamed Carpet Sahib in Kumaon.
  • Profession: British hunter, naturalist, author, and later a wildlife conservationist.
  • Famous Books: Man-Eaters of Kumaon, The Man-Eating Leopard of Rudraprayag, My India, Jungle Lore, Tree Tops.
  • Hunter Turned Hero:
    • Known for tracking and killing man-eating tigers and leopards in Kumaon and Garhwal.
    • Used patient observation and deep knowledge of terrain and animal behaviour.
  • Shift to Conservation:
    • Grew concerned about dwindling tiger numbers and deforestation.
    • Advocated for wildlife protection and ecological balance.
  • Commemoration: India’s first national park was renamed Jim Corbett National Park in 1957 in his honour.

Back2Basics: Jim Corbett National Park

  • Established: 1936 as Hailey National Park; later renamed in 1957.
  • Location: Nainital district, Uttarakhand; core of Corbett Tiger Reserve.
  • Historical Importance:
    • Launch site of Project Tiger in 1973, India’s flagship tiger conservation programme.
  • Geography:
    • Lies in Shivalik and Outer Himalayan foothills.
    • Rivers: Ramganga, Sonanadi, Mandal, Palain, and Kosi.
    • Area: Over 500 sq km (includes Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary as buffer).
  • Biodiversity:
    • Flora: Moist deciduous forest with Sal, Khair, and Sissoo; 600+ plant species.
    • Fauna: Over 230 tigers (highest density in the world), elephants, leopards, deer (sambar, chital, barking), sloth bears, wild boars, birds, and reptiles.

 

[UPSC 2013] Consider the following pairs : National Park River flowing through the Park

1. Corbett National Park : Ganga

2. Kaziranga National Park : Manas

3. Silent Valley National Park : Kaveri

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2 (b) 3 only (c) 1 and 3 (d) None*

 

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