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Simlipal Wildlife - Taking its name from the
abundance of semul or red silk cotton trees that bloom
vividly here, the Simlipal National Park is home to
three of India's biggest animal species --Tiger, Asian
Elephant and Gaur. Spread over a sprawling area of 2750
sq. kms, the park is at an altitude of 559.31 meters.
Set on a wide expanse of Sal forest, this park is
nestled in the very centre of Mayurbhanj, the
northernmost district of Orissa. Notable variations in
topography, conducive climate and |
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required vegetation has supported large varieties of
animals, birds and reptiles to flourish in one of the
earliest and finest of India's 15 Tiger reserves falling
under Project Tiger.
A forested, hilly terrain 200 km south-west of
Kolkata, the reserve is endowed with an exceptional
biodiversity. Of the reserve's almost 1,000 species of
flowering plants, 94 are orchids, many of which are on
show at the small display at Gurguria.
The reserve remains open from mid October to mid June.
An entry permit needs to be taken from the office of
Assistant Conservator of Forest, National Park, Jashipur
or from the Range Officer, Pithabata at Pithabata. Check
Gate to visit the reserve. The tourists can explore the
reserve from 0600 to 1200 hours in the day. This time is
extended by two hours for the reservation holders and is
0600 to 1400 hours.
With the nearest airports being at 250 and 300 kms at
Calcutta and Bhubaneshwar respectively, the reserve is
76 kms away from Lulung and 115 kms from Jashipur.
The
fauna at the Park including tiger, leopard, elephants,
bison, sambar, porcupine, pangolin, flying-squirrel,
hill myna, hornbill and pythons can be observed closely
by exploring the reserve in private jeeps and cars. But
before going on any such expedition, the tourists are
advised to take an anti-malarial drug.
Simplipal National Park, a tract of total wilderness is
spread over an 845 sq km core area. In the ancient days,
this reserve was the hunting preserve of the Mayurbhanj
maharajas. As a result of excessive hunting, the
wildlife here was seriously damaged. And then it was in
the year 1957 that a small area of it was declared a
sanctuary.
Today, the tiger reserve extends over 2,750 sq. km,
within a larger area of 4,374 sq km that constitutes the
biosphere reserve. But unfortunately, the tribal
communities here still indulge in an annual ritual hunt
(akhand shikar) with bows and arrows. To add more to the
woes of the animals, encroachment, livestock grazing,
poaching and indifferent visitors are also there.
But the management of the reserve has managed to
sustain a vast variety of wild life here despite
nature's resilience. Better funding for effective
protection and awareness is therefore required at this
stage to sustain healthy numbers of animals. |
