1.
Edward James Corbett, popularly known as Jim Corbett, was born on 25th July 1875 in
the Nainital district of the Kumaon Himalayas. They owned a cottage named "Arundel"
in Chhoti Haldwani or "Corbett's Village" - now known as Kaladhungi. From a very
early age, Jim was fascinated by the forests and wildlife around his home in Kaladhungi.
Through frequent excursions, he learned to identify most animals and birds by their
calls.
2. Corbett held the rank of Colonel in the British Indian Army and was frequently
called upon by the government of the United Provinces, now the Indian states of
Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, to kill man-eating tigers and leopards that were preying
on people in the nearby villages of the Garhwal and Kumaon regions.
3. Though most of his kills were tigers, Corbett successfully killed at least two man eating
leopards. The first was the Panar Leopard in 1910, which allegedly killed 400 people.
The second was the man-eating Leopard of Rudraprayag in 1926 which was said to be
responsible for more than 126 deaths. It is widely believed that Corbett did not kill a
tiger without confirmation that it was a man-eater.
4. He authored several books including Man-Eaters of Kumaon, Jungle Lore, The Man
eating Leopard of Rudraprayag, recounting his hunts and experiences, which
have enjoyed critical acclaim and commercial success.
5. Later on in life, Corbett became an avid photographer and spoke out for the need
to protect India's wildlife from extermination. He played a key role in creating a
national reserve for the endangered Bengal tiger, by using his influence to persuade
the provincial government to establish what was called Hailey National Park. In 1957,
the park was renamed Jim Corbett National Park in his honour.
6. In 1968, one of the five remaining subspecies of tigers was named after him:
Panthera tigris corbetti, the Indochinese tiger, also called Corbett's tiger.
i. While in the army, how did he help the government of the United Provinces?
ii. Which other professions did Corbett excel in?
iii. Which species is also called Corbett’s Tiger?
iv. Find a word in para 5 which is the opposite of ‘ preserved’.
v. Corbett did not kill a tiger unless it was a man-eater. This is because
a) He enjoyed hunting man eaters
b) He did not want to kill animals without reason
c) Man eaters were not easily found.
d) Corbett was not an expert hunter.
vi. Which statement is NOT true?
a) Corbett could recognise birds by their call
b) Corbett had also killed many leopards
c) Hailey National Park was renamed after Jim Corbett.
d) Corbett was born in India.
vii. A species of tigers has been named after Corbett as
a) he was an excellent tiger hunter
b) a tribute to him
c) he had clicked their photographs
d) he authored books on them
viii. Select the option that makes the correct use of ‘critical’ as used in the 4th paragraph of the
passage.
a) The teacher was very critical of her behaviour
b) The patient is in a critical condition
c) The talks between the two leaders have reached a critical stage
d) Her social work brought her critical appreciation
