Similipal National Park

• 28 Apr 2025

Source: IE

The Odisha government has recently declared Similipal Tiger Reserve as the state's second national park, following Bhitarkanika, making it the 107th national park in India. 

• Significance: The notified area (845.70 sq/km) will now be ‘rights free’ and no human activities will be allowed. 
  • The remaining part of the 2,750 sq/km area will be considered as a wildlife sanctuary( Limited human activities allowed). 
  • The Greater Similipal Landscape Programme aims to secure the newly designated national park and its surrounding ecological corridors.  
• About Similipal: 
  • Similipal, located in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, is the world's only home to wild melanistic tigers, sheltering 40 royal Bengal tigers, 25% of Odisha's elephant population, and 104 orchid species, many of which are endemic to the region. 
    • It comes under the Deccan Peninsular Biogeographic Zone, Chhotanagpur Province, and Mahanadian Region. 
    • It is known for its beautiful waterfalls, including Barehipani and Joranda. 
    • The park is surrounded by high plateaus and hills, the highest peak being the twin peaks of Khairiburu and Meghashini. 
  • The forests of Similipal are a mix of sal trees, moist deciduous, and semi-evergreen types, creating a complex and thriving habitat for flora, fauna, and forest-dependent communities. 
    • The major ungulate species found here are sambar (Rusa unicolor), chital (Axis axis), barking deer (Muntiacus vaginalis), gaur (Bos gaurus), and mouse deer (Moschiola indica).

Read more: Rare Melanistic Tiger