SIMILIPAL TIGER RESERVE
Location : Mayurbhanj District, Orissa
Coverage Area : 2,750-sq-km
Main Attractions : Tigers, Leopards, Elephants & Mugger Crocodiles

Mayurbhanj district is the home of one of the most important National Parks not
only in Orissa but also in the country. Spread over an area of 2,750-sq-km, the
park was specially chosen by Project Tiger for continuing the onerous task of
conserving the country's deteriorating tiger population.

THE RICH WILD FAUNA
One of India's tiger reserves, Similipal has over more than 95 tigers within
the lavish bounds of the sanctuary. Leopards, elephants, mugger crocodiles and
numerous reptiles abound here. Other fauna include the wild dog, Wolf,
striped-necked mongoose, honey badger, small Indian otter, sloth bear, barking
deer, gaur, wild boar, pangolin, rhesus macaque, Hanuman langur, common giant
flying squirrel and porcupine.

Because of the wide variety in the habitats the fauna composition of the
reserve is also varied and rich, 231 species of birds have been identified, out
of which red jungle fowl, Hill Myna, Peafowl, Alexandrine Parakeet, Crested
Serpent Eagle are common. The Grey Hornbill, Indian Pied Hornbill, Malabar Pied
Hornbill and Trogon also occur in the reserve.

Reptilian fauna include the Indian pond terrapin, Indian flap shell turtle,
Indian tent turtle, banded rock gecko, forest calotes, snake skink, common
skink, large Bengal monitor lizard, Indian Python, common krait, banded krait,
spectacled cobra, monocled cobra, king cobra and bamboo pit viper.

A TREASURE OF NATURAL SPLENDOURS
The vast expanse and changing topography and the vegetation and climatic
variations in Similipal has been one of the major reasons for the successful
breeding of the flora and fauna.

Similipal offers an excellent exposure to the delights not only of its
wildlife, but also of its wonderful natural beauty. Scenic beauty of the lush
forests and mountains and valleys is as extravagant as it is varied.

The park is a treasure house of 501 species of plants belonging to 102
families. 82 species of orchids have also been identified here. It has a mixed
type of vegetation with Northern tropical semi-evergreen trees and Northern
tropical moist deciduous trees. Plus, dry deciduous hill forest and high-level
Sal forests.

The grasslands and the savannas provide grazing grounds for the herbivores and
hiding place to the carnivores. The forest boasts of innumerable medicinal and
aromatic plants, which provide a source of earnings for the tribals.

MUGGER MANAGEMENT
A traditional inhabitant of the perennial streams in Similipal, the mugger
crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) was almost extinct by 1979. A captive
management programme for the species was started at Ramatirtha on the banks of
river Khairi-Bhandan near Jashipur.

Young crocodiles have been rehabilitated in the streams inside the reserve. The
species has revived back. Ramatirtha mugger rearing centre draws visitors round
the year.

MONUMENTS
Athardeuli, the site of 18 temples stands near Bakua in central Similipal as
mute testimony to the past glory of Bathudi Tribals. Now overgrown with jungle
and appropriated by the resident male tiger, every year, on Makar Sankranti Day
(14th January), tribals from all-round the hills gather here to offer prayers
to their clan Gods.

ATTRACTIONS WITHIN THE SANCTUARY
The best way to see as much as possible would be to take a package tour which
could take in the Barehipani waterfall (399m) and the Joranda falls (150m), the
lush grasslands of Bachhuri Chara, the Meghasani Peak (1,158m) and the wildlife
in the environs.

Jashipur, one of the two entry points to the park, has a crocodile sanctuary,
the other being Lulung. Khiching and Haripur are two ancient places with unique
temple architecture. Haripur is 16-km and Khiching is 149-km from Baripada.

BEST TIME TO VISIT
The reserve is open to tourists from 10th November to 15th June in every
season. Jashipur on N.H. No. 6 (94-km) and Lulung, 25-km from Baripada on N.H.
No. 5 are two entry points to Similipal. Regular bus services from Bhubaneswar,
Calcutta, Tata and other important places of the state connect both Baripada
and Jashipur. Tourists are advised to hire four-wheeled Jeeps for movement
inside the park.

HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Bhubaneswar Airport is situated 270-km from the national park. Other airports
include Baripada, 330-km and Jashipur Calcutta Airport, 320-km. Baripada is
located 280-km from Jashipur.
Rail:
Balasore railhead is situated 56-km from Baripada and Tata railhead is 115-km
from Jashipur.
Road:
Daytime as well as overnight buses are available in for Baripada and Jashipur
from Calcutta, Bhubaneswar and Tata.