The Dhela Zone, sprawling over 1173 hectares, stands as the sixth ecotourism zone within the Corbett Tiger Reserve, It’s a new zone & officially designated on the CTR tourism map in 2014. This zone was delineated from the southern buffer forests of Corbett.
Dhela Forest holds a significant distinction, having witnessed seven tigers in Corbett’s seventy-five-year history. Featuring mixed forest plantation and moist deciduous areas, it shelters various wildlife species, including Sambhar Deer, known to attract tigers due to easy hunting opportunities. The Sal forest region is particularly favored by tigers for hunting prey.
Inside the Dhela Zone, a Watch Tower is strategically built to enable tourists to observe wild animals from a distance. With a Jungle Path stretching over 46 kilometers, visitors can spot diverse wildlife species. Jeep Safaris are available in both morning and evening shifts, with a limit of 15 gypsies allowed to enter the zone during each shift. Dhela is renowned for its bird-watching opportunities. Importantly, Dhela remains accessible throughout the entire year.
Entry Gate of the Zone
This ecotourism zone was inaugurated for visitors in 2014, sharing the entry gate with Jhirna Zone, known as Dhela Gate, situated 18 kilometers away from Ramnagar. Consequently, the entry point for this zone aligns with that of the Jhirna Zone.
Safari Timings and Prices
The safari timings can be divided into two parts, similar to other ecotourism zones, i.e., morning and evening. The timings of the safari can vary by season; the winter season has different timings than the summer season.
| Winter timings | ||
| Safari Types | Entry Time | Exit Time |
| Morning Safari | 07:00AM | 10:00AM |
| Evening Safari | 02:00PM | 05:30PM |
| Summer timings | ||
| Safari Types | Entry Time | Exit Time |
| Morning Safari | 06:00AM | 09:30AM |
| Evening Safari | 03:00PM | 06:30PM |
The individual cost of the Jeep Safari depends on the number of members desiring to go for the safari. A jeep can accommodate 6 adults and 2 children; therefore, if you are a group of 6 people, 12 people, and so on, the cost per person would range from ₹1000 to ₹1300. This is because the cost per jeep ranges from ₹6800 to ₹7800.
Quick Facts about Dhela Safari Zone:
- Safari Period: Throughout the year
- Number of Shifts: 2 shifts, morning and evening, in a day
- Maximum Number of Jeeps Allowed: 15 in a shift, 30 in a day
- Exploration Time: 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Best Time to Visit: October to June
Flora and Fauna at this Zone
The Dhela Zone is a part of Jim Corbett National Park and is home to many flora and fauna species. Some of them, which can be found in Jim Corbett National Park, are listed below.
Flora
- Sheesam
- Dhak
- Sisoo
- Khair
- Chir Pine (the only conifer)
- Banj Oak
- Kanju (Holoptelia Integrifolia)
- Jamun (Syzygium Cumini)
- Aamla (Emblica Officinalis)
- Bel
- Kusum
- Mahua
- Bakli
Fauna
- Royal Bengal Tiger
- Asian Elephant
- Spotted Deer
- Barking Deer
- Chital
- Sambar Deer
- Wild Boar
- Black-Faced Monkey
- Rheus Monkey
- Wild Pig
- Jackal
Bird Species
- Peacock
- Jungle Fowl
- White Bush Chat
- Oriental Pied
- Emerald Dove
- Red Wattle Lapwing
- Asian Paradise Flycatcher
- Crested Kingfisher
- Indian Shirks
- Indian Alpine Swift
- Woodpecker
- Laughing Thrush
- Vulture
- Parakeet
- Kalij Pheasant
- Oriole
- Common Grey Hornbill
- Duck
- Stork
- Cormorant
- Parrot
- Indian Roller
- Teal
- Seagull
Major Attractions of Dhela Zone
Jeep Safari and the Grasslands (Chaur) are the main attractions of this zone.
Jeep Safari
Visiting the Dhela Zone is made easy with a day safari, and you can get the necessary permit on the official website. The safari happens with registered vehicles and a required guide. Just like in the other zones of Corbett Tiger Reserve, you can’t use private vehicles in Dhela Zone.
Grasslands (Chaurs):
The main attraction in this zone is the large grassland called Laldhang Chaur. It often has elephants and deer, and you can also see wild pigs and Neelgai. People who like bird-watching in grasslands find this place very interesting.
Nearby attractions:
The nearby attractions of the Dhela Entry Gate would be the same as those for Jhirna. These include Garjiya Devi Temple , Shri Hanuman Dham, Sitabani Temple, Kosi River and Dhangarhi Museum
- Garjiya Devi Temple (32 KM)
- Shri Hanuman Dham (26KM)
- Sitabani Temple (41KM)
- Kosi River (21 KM)
- Dhangarhi Museum (36KM)
How to reach Dhela Zone
Address – DhelaEntry gate, Jim Corbett, National Park, Dhela, Uttarakhand 244715, India
Latitude – 29.4156° N, Longitude – 78.9939° E
The nearest city is Ramnagar, and it is well-connected by all types of transportation except air travel. The closest airport is Pantnagar, which is 99 km away from the entry gate of Dhela.
To enter the zone, you need to book a jeep safari. You can either book it in advance or upon reaching Ramnagar through Jai Bhumia Travels or any other agent, or directly from the safari providers.
FAQ about Dhela Zone Corbett
Dhela Zone is the sixth ecotourism zone within Corbett Tiger Reserve, officially designated in 2014. It covers 1173 hectares and was carved out of the southern buffer forests of Corbett.
This Zone holds the distinction of having witnessed seven tigers in Corbett’s history of seventy-five years. It features mixed forest plantation, moist deciduous areas, and a significant Sal forest region favored by tigers for hunting prey.
Visitors can explore Dhela Zone through day safaris, and permits can be reserved on the official website. Jeep safaris, conducted with registered vehicles and mandatory guides, are the primary mode of exploration. Private vehicles are not allowed.
This Zone remains open throughout the entire year, providing visitors with the opportunity to explore its diverse flora and fauna.
The entry gate for this Zone is the Dhela Gate, located 18 kilometers away from Ramnagar. This entry gate is shared with the Jhirna Zone.
Safari timings are divided into morning and evening shifts, with variations in winter and summer. The individual cost for a Jeep Safari depends on the group size, ranging from ₹1000 to ₹1300 per person.
Jeep Safaris are available in both morning and evening shifts, with a maximum of 15 gypsies allowed in each shift and 30 in a day.
The best time to visit this Zone is from October to June, offering favorable weather conditions for exploration.
This Zone is home to diverse flora, including Sheesam, Dhak, Sisoo, Khair, and various other species. Fauna includes Royal Bengal Tigers, Asian Elephants, Spotted Deer, and a rich variety of bird species.
The main attractions include Jeep Safaris and the vast grasslands known as Chaurs, particularly the Laldhang Chaur. These areas are known for wildlife sightings, including elephants, deer, wild pigs, and Neelgai.
The nearest city is Ramnagar, well-connected by road and train, excluding air travel. The closest airport is Pantnagar, approximately 99 km away from the Dhela Gate. Jeep Safaris can be booked in advance or upon reaching Ramnagar through authorized agents or directly from safari providers.
