The park and the surrounding areas were ruled by a number of clans such as Boksas and the kings of Tehri. Efforts to save the forests of the region were started in 19th century by Major Ramsay, the British Officer who was responsible for the area during that time. Cultivation and operation of cattle stations were prohibited and in 1879, the forests were composed into a reserve forest. In the early 1900s, many British nationals suggested the setting up of a National Park in the region. It was only in the 1930s that the idea got underway, with the help of the well-known wildlife conservationist and author Jim Corbett, who knew the area very well. Thus, Asia’s first national park came into existence in 1936. Hunting and killing and capturing of the animals within the reserve, was prohibited. In 1974, it was selected as the location for launching “Project Tiger”, a famous wildlife conservation project. Later in 1991, the area of the park was increased, when the entire Kalagarh forest division of 301.18 sq km (116.29 sq mi) area was added. Corbett National Park has been identified as one of the 13 protected areas by the World Wide Fund For Nature, under Terai Arc Landscape Program. The goal of this program is to protect three of the five terrestrial species, the tiger, the Asian elephant and the mighty one-horned rhinoceros, by restoring passages of dense forests to link 13 protected areas of Nepal and India, thereby enabling wildlife migration.

Festivals and upholding the traditional values form a very significant part of the culture of the people in Corbett. A lot of festivals celebrating the different goddesses of their religion are celebrated here. This includes the Nanda Devi Fair, Garjiadevi Fair, Hariyali Devi Fair and so on. The folk songs and dances of this town are also an inherent part of the culture and traditional dances like Chholiya Nritya, Jhora and Chhapeli are famous here. The “Chholiya Nritya” is a traditional war-dance and is performed using a sword and shield. The folk songs are mostly heroic and some also include tales of love and ethics. The cuisine is mainly based on rice and the recipes are known to be delectable.

The people of Corbett follow mostly Nainital’s customs and lifestyle as the national park lies in Nainital district in Uttarakhand state. They are very religious, god-fearing and superstitious. The natives of Nainital are referred to as “Kumaoni”. Most of the men and women are dressed in traditional attire. The main religion followed here is Hinduism and the places of worship are a hub for all gatherings, cultural, social and spiritual. Agriculture was the main source of the residents, but recently the surge of tourism is also contributing to their daily bread. The residents are known to be very welcoming and inviting to the travellers visiting them.