HAVEN FOR WILDLIFE ENTHUSIASTS: Corbett National Park is a haven for bird watchers. Captured in the picture is a shrike, also known as the `butcher bird'.

CHENNAI: Wildlife enthusiast? Now is a good time to pack your bags and head for the jungles in the Kumaon region of Uttaranchal.

Corbett Country Camp near Nainital opens its doors from November 15 to visitors, after the monsoon season. The park was the first wildlife reserve in the country to launch Project Tiger in 1973, and is considered by wildlife enthusiasts as one of the best places to catch a glimpse of the tiger.

The park's catalogue is a pointer to its unique diversity: on its lists are over 50 mammals, 520 birds and 25 reptile species; on flora too it has an impressive 110 species of trees, 51 species of shrubs and over 33 species of bamboo and grasses.

To the orinithologist's delight, there is a chance to spot the kingfisher, hornbill, barbet, drongo, minivet, peafowl, jungle fowl, kaleej pheasant, grey and black patridge, green and rock pigeon, quail, babbler, kite, lark, parakeet and woodpecker. Animal lovers can look out for elephants, tigers, panthers, bears, antelopes, porcupines, jungle cats, hyenas, deer and jackals. Among reptiles, there are pythons, crocodiles and several species of lizards and snakes to watch out for.

Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited (KMVN), one of the two tourism development departments of Uttaranchal, organises package tours to get into tiger country. The tiger reserve is about 118 km from Nainital and just short of 300 km from New Delhi.

For further details, contact the Public Relations Pfficer of KMVN at the Tamilnadu Tourism Development Complex on Wallajah Road, Chepauk. You call also call 25362300 or 98412 35465, or e-mail kmvnchennai@yahoo.com for details.

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