Similipal National Park Total area 2750 sq km; Protected area 845.70 sq km; Average rainfall 2000 mm; Open 1st Nov-15th June; Best time...
Similipal National Park
Total area 2750 sq km; Protected area 845.70 sq km; Average rainfall 2000 mm; Open 1st Nov-15th June; Best time to visit Nov-Feb; Location at access Mayurbhanj district, Bhubaneswar-270 km Baripada-50 km; Average mean elevation 900 m; information : Conservator of Forest Ph-06792-259126. Field Director, Similipal Tiger Reserve Ph-06792-252593; DFO, Baripada Ph-252613. Tourist Office, Baripada Ph- 06792-252710
Total area 2750 sq km; Protected area 845.70 sq km; Average rainfall 2000 mm; Open 1st Nov-15th June; Best time to visit Nov-Feb; Location at access Mayurbhanj district, Bhubaneswar-270 km Baripada-50 km; Average mean elevation 900 m; information : Conservator of Forest Ph-06792-259126. Field Director, Similipal Tiger Reserve Ph-06792-252593; DFO, Baripada Ph-252613. Tourist Office, Baripada Ph- 06792-252710
One of India's earliest Tiger Reserve , declared a national park in 1972, Similipal is home to about 100 tigers.The area in the hills of northeast Orissa was orginally the private hunting ground of the Maharaj of Mayurbhanj and a source of timber till 1957 when it was declared a wildlife sanctuary. Similipal comprises dense sal forests interspersed with rosewood, broken by expense of savannah grassland.Spectacular view is provided by perennial streams traversing the forest, gorges and falling cascades. The lavish bounds of the park provide natural habitat to a rich variety of flora and fauna which includes 1076 species of plants including 94 varieties of orchids, 42 species of mammals, 231 species of birds and 29 species of reptiles. Apart from the elusive tiger, this biosphere reserve boasts leopards, gaur, langurs, barking and spotted deer, sloth bears, mongoose, flying squirrels, porcupines, turtles, pythons, monitor lizards and pangolines. the rare muggers of marsh crocodiles can be spotted in rivers or basking on the banks. Near the western entry point at Jashipur there is a Crocodile Rearing Center. Herds of elephants walking majestically especially in the grasslands at Bacchuri Chara, also one of the best spots to view wildlife, is a regular sight. The big cats can be spotted on the hilly tracts or around the salt licks at places like Chahala. However, the larger wildlife is concentrated inside of the core area, mostly out of bounds.
The peaks of Khairibaru (1178 m), Meghasani (1158 m) and also the gorgeous waterfalls, such as those at Joranda (150 m) and Barehipani (400 m) are of great attraction. Of the main entrances, one in the west at Jashipur in convenient for visitors driving from Kolkata on NH6. the other one is in the east at Pithabata, near Lulung, about 22 km west of Baripada. For entry and permits, contact Range Officer, Ph- 06797-232474 or Filed Director, Similipal Tiger Reserve, Baripada Ph- 06792-252593.
Without your own vehicle, to get around the park you can hire open jeeps or Tata Sumos, arranged through the forest her tourist office. Charges Rs.1700 for up to 10 persons. Timings: Day visitors 0600-1200 hr. Entry or permit Rs.40/1000 for Indian/foreigners plus Rs. 100 Vehicle entry. Camera Indian/foreigner Rs. 20/ Rs. 100, video allowed only with the permission of the forest office.
Balasore, 60 km from Baripada and Badampahar, 20 km from Jashipur are the nearest rail heads sector to get there and away. Baripada on NH5 is 270 km from Kolkata and 22 km from Pithabata. The other entry point, Jashipur on NH6 is 94 km from Baripada. Buses leave daily from Bhubaneswar and Kolkata for Baripada and Jashipur, from where one can hire jeep for Similipal. Bhubaneswar- Baripada, 295 km.
Basic accommodation and food is available in many of the private lodges and those set by the forest department. there are also options in Baripada, about 22 km west of Pithabata. Jashipur can also be an alternate base for visit to the park.
Places to stay and eat at SIMILIPAL NATIONAL PARKS
OTDC UNIT-ARANYA NIVAS
Kochilaghati, reservation ph-06792-252710,
10 rooms Rs. 1000 and dormitory
At Chahala, 35 km from Jashipur or 83 km from Baripada, a former Maharaja's honting lodge inside the core area near a salt lick is now a Forest Rest House. Forest Rest Houses at Barheipani, 73 km, near the falls has spectacular vies and other includes Newana and Joranda, 60 km and 64 km respectively from Baripada. Recently opened Eco Tourism Complex at Joranda offers four tents, each designed for double occupancy. There also is a Tourist Lodge at Ramtirtha, ph-9777121473 about 2 km from Similipal National Park. Advance booking most be done with the Field Director, Similipal Tiger Reserve project, PO Bhanjapur, Baripada- 757002. ph- 06792-252593 or D.F.O. Baripada ph- 06792-252613
Rest Houses also exist at (all distances from Jashipur) Badampahar 16 km, Gudugdia 25 km, Jamuani 25 km, booking with DFO, Karanjia, ph- 06796-220226. most of the rooms in these forest rest houses are basic and the charges are Rs. 600 for double occupancy. It is advisable to take food provisions although the care taker will cook for you.
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