Simlipal National Park

Infobox_protected_area | name = Simlipal National Park
iucn_category = II


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location = Orissa, India
nearest_city = Baripada
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area = 845.70 km².
established = 1980
visitation_num = NA
visitation_year = 2005
governing_body = Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India

Simlipal National Park is a national park and a Tiger Reserve situated in the Mayurbhanj district in the Indian state of Orissa.

Simlipal National Park derives its name from the magnificent Simul (Silk Cotton Tree) tree.

The park has an area of 845.70 km² and has some beautiful waterfalls like Joranda and Barehipani. The park is famous for its tigers, leopards and elephants, hill maynah and orchids.

History

Simlipal Tiger Reserve originated mainly as a hunting ground for the royalty. It was formally designated a tiger reserve in 1956 and under Project Tiger in May 1973. “Mugger Crocodile Scheme” was started in the year 1979 at Ramatirtha, Jashipur.

Government of Orissa declared Simlipal as a wildlife sanctuary in 1979 with an area of 2200 km². Later in 1980, Government of Orissa proposed 303 km² of the sanctuary as National Park. Further in 1986, area of the National park was increased to 845.70 km². Government of India declared Simlipal as a biosphere reserve in 1994.

Geography

The park is located in the Mayurbhanj district in the Indian state of Orissa.

Simlipal Tiger Reserve is an ecosystem complete with forest vegetation (mainly sal trees), fauna and the adjoining Santhal tribal settlements. The park has a total area of 2,750 km². High plateaus and hills, the highest peak being the Mangesheri, surround the forest. At least 12 rivers cut across the plain area. The prominent among them are Burhabalanga, Palpala Bandan, Kahairi and Deo. This sprawling forest also has many waterfalls such as, Joranda and Barehipani that are a perpetual attraction to the tourist. It has withstood two cyclones in 1982 and 1999 without any prominent damages.

Climate

Summers are very hot with temperatures around 40 degree C whereas the temperature during winter months can be as low as 14 degree C. The rainfall ranges from heavy to moderate.

Flora and Fauna

Flora

The park is a treasure house of 1076 species of plants belonging to 102 families. 92 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 with 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 tribal.

Fauna

A total of 42 species of mammals, 242 species of birds and 30 species of reptiles have been recorded in Simlipal National Park.

Mammals

The major mammals include Tiger, leopard, elephant, sambar, barking deer, bison, jungle cat, wild boar, four horned antelope, giant squirrel and common langur.

Avifauna

231 species of birds nest in these forests. Red Junglefowl, Hill Mynah, Peafowl, Alexandrine Parakeet, Crested Serpent Eagle are the commonly found bird. The Grey Hornbill, Indian Pied Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill and Indian Trogon are also found in the reserve.

Reptiles

Apart from the large number of mammals and bird species, the park has a sizeable population of reptiles, which includes snakes and turtles. The Mugger management programme has helped the Mugger crocodile to survive and flourish on the banks of Khairi river.

Park specific activities

Lodging

Accommodation is available in the form of forest reserve bungalows at Aranyanivas at Lulung (25 km from Baripada and Panthasala at Bangiriposi (35 km from Baripada on the way to Jashipur. These bungalows have catering facilities as well. Visitors can also stay at Baripada or Jashipur in Private hotels. Barheipani has log cabins with a view of waterfalls and orchids.

Approach

*Nearest airport: Kolkata, West Bengal about 240 km away and Bhubaneswar (270 km)
*Nearest railhead: Nearest Railhead is Baripada( 17 km). Important stations: Balasore, is 76 km from Lulung. Jamshedpur, 115 km from Jashipur.
*Nearest highway: N.H. 5 and N.H. 6 meet near Baripada (17 km from Pithabata, an entry point), Jashipur, another entry point is on N.H. 6.
*Nearest town: The town of Baripada is 17 km from the park’s entrance.

Travel Tips

Light cotton clothes during summer and woollen clothes during winter are required. The Santhal tribes that live in the Simlipal forest celebrate feast and dance during January, which tourists may attend by prior notification.

You can enter into Similipal through Pithabata (22 km from Baripada) and Jashipur. Entry permits can be obtained from the Range Officer, Pithabata check gate upon paying prescribed fees. Day visitors can enter between 6 AM & 12 Noon and visitors with reservation between 6 AM & 2 PM. Similipal National Park remains open from 1 November to 15 June only.

External links

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References