Jim Corbett made his mark in his early life as a soldier and a hunter but subsequently, dedicated himself to the preservation of life - human and wild.

Whenever a maneater threatened a village, ‘Carpet Sahib' was summoned. Moving on foot for days and weeks, often on steep winding trails, Corbett became the saviour of the simple hill folk of Kumaon and Garhwal.

Jim Corbett could read the jungle signs like an open book. He could decipher a ripple in the dust of a dry stream bed. A blade of grass caught in the act of springing back from a crushed position. When stalking, he could use the wind like predators do, to either conceal or reveal his presence. He could freeze stock-still in mid stride for any amount of time, just like an animal. He could easily read the sounds of the animals and could imitate them to perfection. Even the call of a tiger! With no assistance apart from his vocal chords, he could lure the animal to a face to face meeting. Two maneaters shot by him were cornered using this awesome ability.

Jim Corbett, the eighth child of a postmaster, gave up on academics early, proved his prowess at the gun at the age of 8. He worked as storekeeper, labour contractor, Captain in World War I, member of municipal board, and trained soldiers in jungle warfare for World War II, was awarded the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He shot with his camera and chronicled his experiences in 8 gripping books.

And yet he was a modest man.

The legend lives at Kaladhungi

On the edge of the Park is a place called Kaladhungi, where Jim Corbett lived and learnt to use the gun. Jim’s house is now a museum. Surrounding this modest dwelling is a tiny village called ‘Chhota Haldwani’. Part of the village land was bought by Jim Corbett out of his own savings and gifted to the villagers.

If you happen to meet the older residents, they will tell you tall tales about the man who became a legend in his lifetime.

“The freedom of the forests”

Jim Corbett was convinced that “the tiger is a gentleman” and no jungle beast was dangerous while he lived in his natural habitat.

For his outstanding contribution to conservation and natural history the Government of India bestowed on him the honour of “The Freedom of the Forests”. No bars, no boundaries, for a soul born free.