Days after closure due to Cyclone Dana, Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) finally reopened on Tuesday. Similipal National Park including STR remained closed to visitors since October 23 due to the natural disaster.

A notification issued by the authorities said, “This is to inform all visitors/tourists that Similipal Tiger Reserve will be reopened for tourists from 29.10.2024 only through Jashipur (Kalikaprashad) Gate. As of now, no Also visitors/tourists are not allowed through Pithabata Gate. The exact date of entry will be notified on the official website.

A senior official said roads towards Pithabata were damaged due to the cyclone and rain. Once the repair work is completed, only then the gate on that side will be opened.

Similipal, known as one of India’s largest and most ecologically diverse national parks, was closed since June 12. The purpose of this seasonal closure was to protect wildlife. It is spread over an area of ​​2,750 square km and has a wide variety of plant species and 96 types of orchids. It is home to 42 species of mammals, 242 varieties of birds and 30 reptile categories.

This year, the reserve has also been declared plastic-free to preserve the pristine condition of its lush forests, rivers and wildlife habitats.

Apart from exploring the park’s rich biodiversity, tourists can expect to see Bengal tigers, elephants and over 200 species of birds. The official website reads, “The vision of Similipal Tiger Reserve is to make TR and the surrounding landscape a globally important site with the integration of all ecological functions with a healthy and viable breeding population of tiger in a large untouched area.”

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