Visitors throng Jim Corbett Park to see elusive big cats

Scores of tourists from across the country thronged to Jim Corbett National Park to get a glimpse of elusive big cats.

The national park located in Nainital district is being flooded with tourists who want to use their summer vacation to get acquainted with the park's flora and fauna.

The park has always been wildlife enthusiast's top pick when it comes to holiday destinations. Along with the charm of nature and greenery, it is the tiger whose glimpse has got the visitors excited.

Tourists wait for hours in the safari jeeps and even visit the park multiple times to satisfy their curiosity to take a look at the big cats.

"Mainly it was about seeing the tiger. Once we saw the tiger, our excitement was fulfilled. But in general also, the peace of mind that you get while being inside amid the animals and the forest, that is also nice," said a tourist, Nitika.

With the spike in tourism, park authorities are feeling the pressure and have tightened the security. They have taken upon themselves to warn the visitors about getting too close to the action.

"Our continuous effort is to warn tourists, and the guides and drivers that go along with them to stay a certain distance away from the wildlife because sometimes people get too excited. Keeping that in mind, we need to warn people about the dangers," said Director of Corbett Tiger Reserve, Sameer Sinha.

Besides the elusive predators, the national park is home to elephants, many different kinds of deer, birds and even rare reptiles.

Tourists only have till the end of June to take in the sights of the wildlife because the park will be closed for the next four months during the monsoons.