Industry Odisha Bureau, Oct 17: Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Mayurbhanj district will reopen to tourists on November 1 after remaining closed since June 29 for the monsoon, according to an official notification issued on Thursday.
STR Field Director Prakash Chand Gogineni said a maximum of 60 vehicles with a minimum ground clearance of 180 mm would be allowed into the reserve daily.
Tourists can enter through the Jashipur gate between 5 am and 9 am. Meanwhile, entry through the Pithabata gate in the Baripada division will be permitted from 8 am to 9 am. Visitors must leave the Joranda and Barehipani waterfalls before 4 pm and exit the reserve by 6 pm. Every tourist vehicle must be accompanied by a guide.
Entry permits are available at www.similipal.org. Visitors must carry valid identity proof and submit a written undertaking agreeing to follow the reserve’s regulations. Violations will be punishable by law.
Open-jeep wildlife safaris can be booked through www.ecotourodisha.com. Safaris will operate from Gudugudia, Pithabata, Jamuani, Talabandha and Barehipani. Morning trips will start at 5.30 am and last five hours, while evening safaris will begin at 2 pm and continue for four hours.
Overnight accommodation at lodges in Kumari, Gudugudia, Talabandha, Barehipani and Jamuani can also be booked online.
Spread across 2,750 square kilometres, Similipal is home to 96 types of orchids, 42 mammal species, 242 bird varieties and 30 reptile categories. Its wildlife includes melanistic and Royal Bengal tigers, leopards, elephants, gaur, sambar and giant squirrels.
