In view of the monsoon season ahead, the Dhikala zone of the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR), Ramnagar, has been closed as usual for the general people from Monday. Now, the tourists, particularly the animal lovers, will have to wait for five months till November 15 to visit Dhikala zone which remains open for the people from November 15 to June 15, as the visiting time schedule for general public issued by the CTR administration suggests.
However, Jhirna zone of the CTR remained open for day visits throughout the year. More so, people may also visit Bijrani, Sonanadi and Domunda zones of the CTR till June 30. After a gap of four months most of the zones of CTR, Ramnagar, including Bijrani, Sonanadi and Domunda, are open for general public from mid- October every year while Dhikala zone would open for them on November 15, as per the tourist
visit schedule of the CTR, Ramnagar. Mention worthy, time of opening of different zones of the CTR, Ramnagar, may be changed if the conditions of basic infrastructure are not up to the mark, post-monsoon season as has been witnessed in the past. However, if basic infrastructure facilities, including roads, are in put in place on time both day and night visits start as per schedule.
Established in 1936 in Nainital district’s Ramnagar area, CTR is spread over 1288.32 square kilometres and it comprises Corbett National Park, Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and Reserved Forest. The areas which are presently opened for the tourists in CTR include Dhikala zone, Bijrani zone, Sonanadi zone, Domunda zone and Jhirna zone. Interestingly, over the years, CTR has become one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the hill State.