Jim Corbett National Park, one of Uttarakhand’s most renowned wildlife destinations, boasts a rich and fascinating history. Established in 1936, the park was created to protect the rapidly declining population of Bengal tigers. At the time of its inception, it was known as Hailey National Park, named after Sir William Malcolm Hailey, the then Governor of the United Provinces.

In 1954–55, the park was briefly renamed Ramganga, after the river that flows through its heart. Just a year later, in 1956, it was given its present name to honor Jim Corbett, a British-Indian hunter-turned-conservationist who played a pivotal role in wildlife preservation and in establishing the park.

Jim Corbett National Park holds a special place in India’s conservation history as it became the first national park to be included under Project Tiger, launched on April 1, 1973. While the park was initially established to safeguard endangered tigers, it has since evolved into a global benchmark for wildlife conservation. Continuous efforts over the decades have helped protect not only tigers but also the region’s diverse flora and fauna, making it a vital ecological treasure.