Animal rescue centre in Corbett to be inaugurated after election
HALDWANI: An animal rescue centre in Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) is ready and will be inaugurated after the assembly election, officials said on Thursday.
CTR director Rahul (who goes by his first name) said, “The animal rescue centre was to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister on December 30 last year during his visit to Kumaon, but due to incomplete work, it was not inaugurated. Now, the model code of conduct has come into force. In such a situation, it will now be launched after the election.”
According to CTR officials, PM Narendra Modi had come to the Dhikala range of Corbett Tiger Park in 2019. At that time the idea of setting up a rescue centre in Dhela range for the treatment of wild animals was put to fore. After that it was completed in 2021 at a cost of ₹4 crore. Till now there was no arrangement for keeping sick and injured wild animals in CTR. Due to the presence of wild animals in and around Corbett, this rescue centre is important for treating injured and sick wildlife on a timely basis.
Corbett Tiger Reserve, which is spread across 1,288 square km, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state. The gates of Corbett open on November 15 every year for six months till mid-June.Corbett witnesses a footfall of around 300,000 tourists every year. There are 231 tigers inside CTR and 266 using the reserve according to the latest report on tigers. This is the highest number of tigers across 50 tiger reserves in India.
Corbett Park remains closed every year from June 15 in the wake of the monsoon season. Forest roads get washed away or flooded in the rainy season and pose danger to human life therefore it remains closed till October 15. In 2020 it was closed from May 1 due to the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic. But last year in June, Corbett tiger reserve was opened for day visit in monsoon season for the first time.
CORBETT TIGER RESERVE, WHICH IS SPREAD ACROSS 1,288 SQUARE KM, IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN THE STATE