A jungle safari in Corbett is often spent searching for the tigers. If luck is on your side, you might spot one in close range and if not, you fill your memories with deer, stags and sweeping views of the forest. Soon, your anticipation and chances will be doubled as one-horned rhinos will be brought to Jim Corbett National Park on an experimental basis to diversify wildlife. This decision was taken by Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat at the 14th meeting of the Uttarakhand Wildlife Board. State Forest and Environment Minister Harak Singh Rawat and the head of Forest Force Jai Raj were also present at the gathering.
Approximately a dozen rhinos will be brought from their native habitat in Kaziranga in Assam and West Bengal. The geography and environment of the national park in Uttarakhand is said to be conducive to the habitation of these creatures. Though they believe that the chances of man-animal conflict are minimal, a voluntary protection force will also be installed in villages vulnerable to such incidents. Additionally, it is believed that the move will draw more tourism to the area.
To further make ensure betterment of the reserve, solar lights will be installed and toilets will be constructed in the villages close to the reserve area. Furthermore, the board has also approved a study by Rajaji and Corbett Tiger Reserves to understand their capacity to accommodate tigers and elephants.
A male rhino was spotted near Kotwadara in Pauri Garhwal district of Corbett in 1789, suggesting that the area was a natural habitat to the species many centuries ago. Rhinos are now, however, locally extinct.
