Jhirna Forest Lodge

Description

Jhirna is also well known forest house lies just inside the southern boundary of the park. If we move from Ramnagar to Kalagarh road that runs in east-west direction of the park, Jhirna lies on that particular road. If we talk about the landscape it is drier as compare to Dhikala and vegetation is mostly scrub. The area in and around Jhirna was a farming village till 1994 when it was successfully relocated under project tiger. This important zone of the Corbett is a good habitat for tiger, elephant, deer and mother interesting mammals like sloth bear and wild boar. Visitors can enjoy bird watching as many species of residents and migrated bird can be seen.

Jhirna Forest lodge is situated Ramnagar ot Kalagarh road. Khara/Kalagarh is the main entry gate of this zone. This is the southern part of Jim Corbett Park. Before Tiger project relocation until 1994, Jhirna zone was an agricultural village. Jhirna zone has dense Bamboos forest so its surrounding is perfect for Royal Bengal Tiger and wild Elephants. Other various wild animals are easily found in this zone.

Jhirna Forest lodge is situated in between of the park. There are only 4 rooms to stay kitchen must carry by the visitors. Jhirna zone opens whole of the year. But rainy season July, August are not advisable to stay the forest lodge.

The Jhirna jeep safari zone is one of the most eye-catching spots inside the Jim Corbett National Park and is visited by tourists by the Corbett Safari booking facilities. It lies at a distance of 16 km from Ramnagar and tourists need to have a special permit issued by the national park authority prior to making an entry to the zone. The Jhirna jeep safari region is an exciting zone which gives tourists some of the fascinating views of nature and wildlife. However, for the tourists visiting this zone, it is mandatory to stay at the forest rest house and bookings shall be done, by the authorities concerned, prior to their accommodation.

Accommodation

There is only one forest lodge in Jhirna zone with 4 rooms which are available for tourists to stay at night. But one can book a maximum of 2 rooms at a time for a maximum of 3 nights at a stretch. All the rooms have a double bed in it with having the attached bathroom. However, rooms are spacious and bathrooms are clean, but you will get the very little facility in the room. So, if you are looking for the luxurious holiday then it is not for you. This forest guest house is an ideal accommodation for true wildlife enthusiasts who can stay in the jungle with a minimum of facilities. There is no electricity here except solar electricity for the limited use.

Dining Facility

Being located in the core of the Jungle, the dining facility in Jhirna FRH is limited. It means there is a kitchen in the guest house with the cook but visitors have to bring the raw materials with them in order to get the cooked food. The cook of the forest lodge will cook the raw items provided by you and serve you the hot meal. You can only bring the raw vegetarian items to be cooked and wine is prohibited inside the forest lodge.

Activities

You can use the safari which you have booked at the entrance of the zone to reach at the FRH in order to explore the deep insides of the forest in the daytime. You can indulge in bird watching here as there are a large variety of birds found in this zone. The guest house has a large, clean open area as its compound where you can roam and relax quietly.

How and When to Visit Jhirna FRH

Though a day visit to Jhirna Zone is open throughout the year, depending on the weather conditions, but the night stay at forest rest house is allowed only from the 15th Nov to 15th June of every year. In the remaining days of the year, the night stay remains closed for the tourists.

The entry gate of this zone is Dhela Gate, which is around 20 km from Ramnagar, the nearest town of Corbett Park. You have to show the entry permit at the gate in order to get inside the park. So, if you want to stay at the Jhirna FRH, you need to book the room at the FRH, hire a jeep safari and a guide which is mandatory to enter in the park.

Attractions

Jungle Safari

Can be done using the registered jeeps. Taking registered nature guides is mandatory on all wild excursions.

Chaurs (Grass Lands)

Around Jhirna we have a large chaurs (Grass land) known as the Laldhang Chaur. This is the favored area by the wild herbivores like elephants and deer.

Flora & Fauna

The terrain consists of large open grasslands, popularly known as Chaur. Its topography is mainly dry deciduous type with secondary forest. There are numerous natural streams inside the area. The stream beds are warm and accessible for exploring. There are cliff edges along with the streams, which can prove to be a good spot for bird watching.