Visitors flock to Odisha’s Similipal National Park as it reopens after 4 months

Spelling good news for nature lovers, Odisha’s well-known Similipal National Park located in Mayurbhanj district reopened on Tuesday, November 1. SNP was closed for four months due to monsoon to facilitate mating of animals and is now open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily after repair of the roads.

The Park includes Similipal Tiger Reserve, Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary and is spread over 2,750 square kilometres. It is home to 42 species of mammals, 242 birds and 30 reptiles. Among them are tigers, leopards, Asian elephants, sambars, barking deer, wild boars, common langurs, hilly mynahs, crested serpent eagles, and grey hornbills. There are also 1,076 types of plants and 96 species of orchids.

Entry to the sanctuary was allowed from the gates in Kaliani in Jashipur block and Pithabata in Baripada from 6 a.m. onwards. The STR statement informed that a maximum of 35 four-wheeler carrying visitors will be allowed entry from the Jashipur while only 25 will be allowed from Pithabata point following issuance of necessary permits.

A total of 176 tourists visited the sanctuary yesterday. While entry is allowed from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., the visitors have to exit Barehipani and Jaranda before 3 p.m. and from Chahala before 4 p.m.

For the convenience of the tourists overnight and night halts at camp and bamboo cottages located in Jamuani, Gudugudia, Kumari and Ramathirtha will be allowed. For the dak bungalows booking has to be made in advance along with the payments.

To facilitate easy outing, visitors can book tickets online on a first-come first-serve basis by logging on www.similipal.com and odishatourism.gov.in.

SNP will not allow plastic and polythene products and liquor inside the park.