Wildlife in Orissa : Similipal Tiger Reserve (Project Tiger) - 25

The Similipal National Park, one of the earliest to come under Project Tiger, is located in the forest belt of north Orissa. It was the erstwhile hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Mayubhanj. Similipal, covering an area of 2,7500 sq. kms. was declared in 1973 as one of the nine Project Tiger reserves in the country. It is a vast tract of stately Sal forests, beautiful waterfalls, grassy valley and twelve rivers run across its expanse. It is home to panthers, tigers, gaur, bison, antelopesm, sambar, mouse deer - the tinest of the deer family, mugger or crocodiles and more than 223 species of birds. Permits need to be obtained prior to visit.

When to visit:

The best time to visit is October to early June

Where to stay:

Accommodation is available at Forest Rest House.

How to get there:

By Air:

Nearest airports are -
1) Bhubaneswar (270 kms. from Jashipur and 271 kms. from Bripada) and
2) Kolkata (291 kms. from Jashipur and 253 kms. from Baripada)

By Rail:

Balasore, on the South Eastern Railway, 60 kms. from Baripada and 76 kms. from Lulung.

Contact:

Wildlife warden-Cum-Assistant Conservator of Forest Similipal National Park and Tiger Reserve. Khairi Jashipur - 757 091, Mayurbhanj, Tel. : (06797) 32474

(For tourists entering the park from jashipur side), Range Officer, Pithabata at Pithabata Check Gate (For tourists entering the park from Baripada side). Time : For Day Tourists : 0600 to 1200 hours. For Reservation Holders - 0600 to 1400 hours.

Related Links :

01. Nature and WildLife of India : WildLife Protection Act 1972 - 1
02. Wildlife in Jammu and Kashmir - 2
03. Corbett National Park (Project Tiger) : Wildlife in Uttaranchal - 3
04. Rajaji National Park - 4
05. Wildlife in Uttar Pradesh : Dudhwa National Park - 5
06. Wildlife in Rajasthan : Bharatpur National Park - 6
07. Wildlife in Rajasthan : Ranthambore National Park (Project Tiger) - 7
08. Wildlife in Rajasthan : Sariska Tiger Reserve - 8
09. Wildlife in Gujarat : Gir National Park and Sanctuary - 9
10. Wild Ass Sanctuary - 10
11. Wildlife in Madhya Pradesh : Bandhavgarh National Park - 11
12. Wildlife in Madhya Pradesh : Kanha National Park - 12
13. Wildlife in Bihar : Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary - 13
14. Wildlife in Jharkhand : Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary - 14
15. Wildlife in Jharkhand : Palmau Tiger Reserve - 15
16. Wildlife in Jharkhand : Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary - 16
17. Wildlife in West Bengal : Sunderbans National Park and Tiger Reserve - 17
18. Wildlife in West Bengal : Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary - 18
19. Wildlife in Assam : Manas Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve - 19
20. Wildlife in Assam : Kaziranga National Park - 20
21. Wildlife in Arunachal Pradesh : Namdhapa National Park (Project Tiger) - 21
22. Wildlife in Orissa : Tikarpara Gharial Sanctuary - 22
23. Wildlife in Orissa : Ushakotih Wildlife Sanctuary - 23
24. Wildlife in Orissa : Bhitarkanika Sanctuary - 24