The flora of Jim Corbett at a glance
The flora of Jim Corbett is what makes its wildlife possible. Around 600 species of plants have been recorded, including trees, shrubs, climbers, grasses and ferns, spread across habitats that change with every few hundred metres of height.
On a single safari you can pass through tall sal forest, riverbanks of khair and sissoo, open grassland and pine-covered ridges. Knowing the main types helps you understand where animals go, and why.
Three things decide what grows where: height, soil and water. The valley floors have deep, moist soil that suits sal. Fresh river gravels favour fast-growing khair and sissoo. The dry, thin soils of the upper ridges suit chir pine. Where the forest opens up, grasses take over.
Plants also set the rhythm of animal life. Fresh grass after the winter draws deer onto the chaurs, fruiting trees pull in hornbills and langurs, and bamboo and grasses keep elephants moving through the forest.
Main forest types
Sal forest
Sal (Shorea robusta) is the backbone of Corbett and covers the majority of the forest, by most estimates about three-quarters. Tall, straight trunks and a high canopy give the classic Corbett look. Sal sheds its leaves briefly in spring, which opens up views and makes animals easier to spot.
Look for companion trees such as haldu, rohini, bakli, kusum, jamun and tendu.
Riverine khair-sissoo
On sandy, stony riverbanks along the Ramganga and its tributaries, khair (the source of kattha) and sissoo (Indian rosewood) are the first trees to colonise new ground after floods.
Chir pine and hill forest
On the higher Shiwalik ridges, especially in the north and around Kanda, chir pine takes over, with oak creeping in at the highest points.
Bamboo
Clumps of bamboo grow on drier slopes and in the southern forests. They are favourite elephant food and good places to watch for them.
The chaur grasslands
The open grasslands, called chaurs, cover only a small part of the reserve but hold much of its visible wildlife. Many started as village sites or clearings that were abandoned as the park grew. Dhikala, Phulai, Khinanauli, Paterpani and Bijrani are the best known.
Left alone, trees and weeds would slowly take them over. The forest department keeps them open by removing invading saplings and weeds such as lantana, and by carefully controlled early-season burning that clears old growth and brings up fresh shoots. Tall grasses like kans and elephant grass shelter hog deer and grassland birds, while shorter grass feeds chital herds, which in turn draw tigers.
The grassland also changes through the year. In winter it is tall and golden, in spring the burnt patches turn green, and by the monsoon the grass can grow taller than a person. That is one reason summer, when the grass is short, is so good for sightings.
Flowering trees and when they bloom
- Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata): pink-white orchid-like flowers in February and March.
- Semal (red silk-cotton): big crimson flowers on bare branches from February to March, crowded with birds and langurs.
- Dhak or palash, the flame of the forest: bright orange flowers from March to April, especially on drier edges.
- Amaltas (Indian laburnum): hanging chains of yellow flowers from April to June.
- Kusum: not a flower, but its new leaves turn the forest red and copper in March and April.
If you like photographing landscapes, February to April is when Corbett is at its most colourful.
The flowering trees are not just pretty. Semal and palash produce nectar at the driest time of year, so mynas, bulbuls, barbets, sunbirds and parakeets gather in them in large numbers, and langurs and macaques eat the flowers. Stop under a blooming semal on a spring morning and you can watch more birds in ten minutes than in an hour of forest driving. Along the roads outside the park, look for mango, litchi and guava orchards in flower around the same time.
Medicinal and useful plants
Many Corbett plants have a long history in Ayurveda and village life. Your guide may point out:
- Amla, harad and bahera: the three fruits of the Ayurvedic mix triphala.
- Arjun: a riverside tree whose bark is traditionally used for the heart.
- Bael: a hard-shelled fruit used for digestion and in temple offerings.
- Neem, giloy and curry leaf: everyday remedies in Kumaoni homes.
- Rohini and kusum: sources of traditional dyes and oils.
Collecting plants inside the reserve is prohibited, so enjoy them by sight and camera only.
Rivers and wetlands
Water shapes every habitat in Corbett. The main rivers and water bodies are:
| River or wetland | Where | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Ramganga | Enters near Marchula and flows roughly 40 km west through the Patli Dun valley | The lifeline of the park: elephants, otters, crocodiles and mahseer |
| Ramganga reservoir | Western end, above the Kalagarh dam | Gharial, mugger, waterbirds and winter raptors |
| Kosi | Eastern edge, past Ramnagar and Garjia | Ibisbill, wallcreeper, mahseer and riverside resorts |
| Sonanadi | Western side, flowing into the reservoir | The quiet Sonanadi valley, rich in elephants |
| Mandal | Joins the Ramganga in the Durga Devi area | Hill-stream birds and scenic river drives |
| Palain | A western tributary of the Ramganga | Riverine forest and elephant movement |
Seasonal streams (sots) and small waterholes matter just as much in summer, when they are often the best places to wait for animals.
After the monsoon, the rivers change course a little every year, cutting new channels and leaving fresh gravel bars. That constant reshaping is what keeps the riverine forest young and the riverbeds open, which is why so many tiger and elephant sightings happen along them.
Seasonal colour calendar
| Months | What the forest looks like |
|---|---|
| November–January | Green forest, golden grass, misty mornings and frosty chaurs |
| February–March | Kachnar and semal in bloom; sal starts to shed leaves |
| March–April | Flame of the forest, fresh red kusum leaves, new sal growth |
| May–June | Amaltas yellow, dry grass, dusty tracks and animals near water |
| July–September | Monsoon green, full rivers and waterfalls; most core zones closed |
| October | Tall wet grass, clear skies and the park starting to reopen |
Match your trip to the colours you want with our best time to visit guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main tree in Jim Corbett National Park?
Sal is the dominant tree, covering the majority of the forest, by most estimates about three-quarters of it.
How many plant species are there in Jim Corbett?
Around 600 plant species have been recorded, including trees, shrubs, climbers, grasses and ferns.
What is a chaur in Corbett?
A chaur is an open grassland inside the forest, such as the Dhikala chaur. They are among the best places to see deer, elephants and tigers.
When do flowers bloom in Jim Corbett?
The main flowering season is February to June: kachnar and semal first, then flame of the forest, then amaltas.
Which rivers flow through Jim Corbett?
The Ramganga is the main river, with the Kosi on the eastern edge. The Sonanadi, Mandal and Palain are tributaries of the Ramganga.