Previous Year Question

Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest national park in India. It was established on 8 August 1936 during British rule in the then United Provinces. Initially, it was named Hailey National Park, after Sir Malcolm Hailey, the Governor of the United Provinces. After independence, it was renamed Ramganga National Park and was subsequently renamed Corbett National Park in honour of the renowned naturalist and wildlife conservationist Jim Corbett.

The National Park is situated in the Nainital and Pauri Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, in the foothills of the Shivalik Range of the Himalayas. The main National Park covers approximately 520.82 square kilometres. Its habitats include Sal Forests, Grasslands, Riverine Habitats, and hill forests. The Ramganga River is a major river flowing through the region. Important wildlife species include the Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), Asian Elephant, Leopard, Chital, Sambar, and numerous bird species.

The park holds special significance in the history of Indian wildlife conservation because Project Tiger, India's major tiger conservation programme, was launched here on 1 April 1973. The project aimed to conserve declining tiger populations and their natural habitats. Jim Corbett National Park, together with surrounding reserved forests and the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary, forms part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve. The total areas of the National Park and the Tiger Reserve are different.

Among the other options, Gir National Park is located in Gujarat and was designated a National Park in 1975. It is famous as a natural habitat of the Asiatic Lion. Dudhwa National Park is located in the Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh and was established in 1977. It is important for conserving the Terai Ecosystem and the Swamp Deer. Chandoli National Park is situated in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra and was declared a National Park on 14 May 2004.