Corbatt National Park which was established on August 8, 1936 is the country's first National Park. Originally named The Hailey National Park after Shri Malcom Hailery, The Governor of the United Provinces, who had taken a keen interest in the creation of this Park. It was renamed the Ramganga National Park after independence. Considering Jim Corbet's special contribution in creation of this Park, its name was again changed to Corbett National Park, after this famous hunter, author and wildlife conservationist who died in 1955. The Park roughly trapezoidal in shape, is situated in the central foot-hills of the Himalayas within the civil districts of Nainital and Garhwal, comprising a total area of 520.82 sq. kms. of which 329.98 sq. kms. constitute the tranquil core or the sanctorum, and the rest forming the buffer. The river Ramganga is the only major perennial source of water.

Corbett National Park, one of the best potential habitals of the Tiger in the Himalayan Region and probably of the whole India with its brightest promise of successful perpetuations of 'Stripes', and forming almost a compact biomass fairly free from biotic interference, was aptly given the unique distinction of being chosen during April 1973 as the venue for the inauguration of the launching of the famous and now prestigious project called 'Project Tger'. Project Tiger started functoning in te Park with effect from February, 1974. The Corbett National Park is extremely rich and varied both in its floral and fauna composition. More than 50 species of ferns and flowering plants have been recorded. The Park has a great a variety of fauna of account of diversity of cover and available food:- (i) Pisces : The river Ramganga sustains a variety of fish, the 'mahaseer' (Barbus for) being the main species found throughout the length of the river. The other important species are 'Kalimachi' (Barbus Chilinodes), 'Kalabasu' (Labeo calabasu), 'Chilwa' (Oxygaster bacaila), 'Goonch' (Bagarius bagarius). (ii) Reptiles : Aquatic reptiles found in the Park are 'magar' or marsh crocodiles (Crocodilus palustris), 'gharial' (Gavialis gangeticus) and water monitor ( Varanus salvator). Monitor lizard 'goh' (Varanus bengalensis) is wuite common.

Snakes worthy of mention are King Cobra (Opheophegus hennah), comman krait (Bungarus caeruleus), Cobra (Naga Raja), Russell's Viper (Vipera russali) and Python (Python molurus). (iii) Birds: The Park is very rich in avifana-Zoological survey of India have recorded over 585 species of resident and migratory birds. The newly created Ramganga reservoir has started attracting lots of ducks, storks, cormorants and even gulls. (iv) Mammals: Among the primates ;langur' (Presbytis entellus) and rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) are quite common and are associates of principal deer species 'Cheetal' or spotted deer (Axis asix). 'Sambar' (Carvus unicolor), 'Hogodeer' (Axis Porcinus), 'Barking deer' (Muntiacus muntjak) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) are fairly numerous and form the main prey base over which the prdators tiger (Panthera tigris) and leopard (Panthera pardus) thrive.

Ghoral (Nemorhaedous goral) is found onsteeper slopes. Otter (Lutra lutra) is common. Jungle cat (Felis Chaus), leopard cat (Felis bengalonsis), Jackal (Canis aurous), Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), porcupine (Hystrix indiaca) and hare (Lepus nigricollis) are the other common mammals of the Park. The Asiatic elephants are wide spread in the Park right from November to June. During the rainy season they migrate to the other forest areas outside leaving a few herds inside the Park.

The Department of Posts is happy to issue a set of two commemorative stamps on the 50th Anniversary of the Corbett National Park.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India