Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha re-opens after monsoon break

STR Additional conservator of forest (ACF) Arun Kumar Biswal said more than one hundred visitors entered the sanctuary area through Pithabata and Kaliani entry points on the re-opening day.

The Similipal Tiger Reserve [STR] and sanctuary in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district Thursday re-opened for the visitors after remaining closed for four-and-half-month of the monsoon season, officials said.

STR Additional conservator of forest (ACF) Arun Kumar Biswal said more than one hundred visitors entered the sanctuary area through Pithabata and Kaliani entry points on the re-opening day. Known as nature's paradise of Odisha, the sanctuary and tiger reserve area houses breathtaking waterfalls varied flora and fauna coupled with varied wildlife.

The tiger reserve draws many a visitors for the presence of rare black melanistic royal Bengal tiger, Biswal said.

To boost the footfalls of tourists, more toilets are arranged at different sites and provision for an overnight stay has been made inside deep forests along with the improvement of roads inside the sanctuary area informed the official of STR.

Tourists visiting the sanctuary shall have to collect their restricted entry passes from two entry points at Pithabata and Kaliani between 6 to 9 am every day and they are advised to make their exit from the sanctuary area latest by 5 pm an official communique said. Last year, 30,666 tourists had visited the STR, the official added.