It is said that tigers evolved in East Asia (China) about two million years ago. After that, they spread to other parts of Asia. Altogether there are eight subspecies of tiger, out of which three have gone extinct. It is a matter of pride for India that the country gives shelter to the largest population of wild tigers in the world. According to a recent census, it has been estimated that only 5000 to 7500 tigers survive in the world. The subspecies Royal Bengal Tiger has 3000 to 4500 surviving members existing in the Indian subcontinent, more than three-fourths of which are in India.
The Terai-Bhabar region, including the area of the Corbett National Park, was once the best habitat for tigers but recently has reduced to a great extent due to the deforestation taking place in these areas and land use pattern changes.
The Tiger has always had a deep relationship with the confined area of Corbett National Park - either through the useful writings of Jim Corbett or with other hunters. Corbett gave birth to Project Tiger in India - India's first tiger conservation program inaugurated on the first of April in the year 1973.