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Geography
The park is located in the Mayurbhanj district in the
Indian state of Orissa. Simlipal Tiger Reserve is an
ecosystem complete with forest vegetation (mainly sal
trees), fauna and the adjoining Santhal tribal
settlements. The park has a total area of 2,750 km².
High plateaus and hills, the highest peak being the
Mangesheri, surround the forest. At least 12 rivers cut
across the plain area. The prominent among them are
Burhabalanga, Palpala Bandan, Kahairi and Deo. This
sprawling forest also has many waterfalls such as,
Joranda and Barehipani that are a perpetual attraction
to the tourist. It has withstood two cyclones in 1982
and 1999 without any prominent damages.
Climate
Summers are very hot with temperatures around 40 degree
C whereas the temperature during winter months can be as
low as 14 degree C. The rainfall ranges from heavy to
moderate
Flora and Fauna
Flora
The park is a treasure house of 1076 species of plants
belonging to 102 families. 92 species of orchids have
also been identified here. It has a mixed type of
vegetation with Northern tropical semi-evergreen trees
and Northern tropical moist deciduous trees with dry
deciduous hill forest and high level Sal forests. The
grasslands and the savannas provide grazing grounds for
the herbivores and hiding place to the carnivores. The
forest boasts of innumerable medicinal and aromatic
plants, which provide a source of earnings for the
tribal.
Fauna
A total of 42 species of mammals, 242 species of
birds and 30 species of reptiles have been recorded in
Simlipal National Park.
Mammals
The major mammals include Tiger, leopard, elephant,
sambar, barking deer, bison, jungle cat, wild boar, four
horned antelope, giant squirrel and common langur.
Avifauna
231 species of birds nest in these forests. Red
Junglefowl, Hill Mynah, Peafowl, Alexandrine Parakeet,
Crested Serpent Eagle are the commonly found bird. The
Grey Hornbill, Indian Pied Hornbill, Malabar Pied
Hornbill and Indian Trogon are also found in the
reserve.
Reptiles
Apart from the large number of mammals and bird species,
the park has a sizeable population of reptiles, which
includes snakes and turtles. The Mugger management
programme has helped the Mugger crocodile to survive and
flourish on the banks of Khairi river.
Park specific activities
Lodging
Accommodation is available in the form of forest reserve
bungalows at Aranyanivas at Lulung (25 km from Baripada
and Panthasala at Bangiriposi (35 km from Baripada on
the way to Jashipur. These bungalows have catering
facilities as well. Visitors can also stay at Baripada
or Jashipur in Private hotels. Barheipani has log cabins
with a view of waterfalls and orchids.
Approach
Nearest airport: Kolkata, West Bengal about 240 km away
and Bhubaneswar (270 km)
Nearest railhead: Nearest Railhead is Baripada( 17 km).
Important stations: Balasore, is 76 km from Lulung.
Jamshedpur, 115 km from Jashipur.
Nearest highway: N.H. 5 and N.H. 6 meet near Baripada
(17 km from Pithabata, an entry point), Jashipur,
another entry point is on N.H. 6.
Nearest town: The town of Baripada is 17 km from the
park’s entrance.
Travel Tips
Light cotton clothes during summer and woollen clothes
during winter are required. The Santhal tribes that live
in the Simlipal forest celebrate feast and dance during
January, which tourists may attend by prior
notification.
You can enter into Similipal through Pithabata (22 km
from Baripada) and Jashipur. Entry permits can be
obtained from the Range Officer, Pithabata check gate
upon paying prescribed fees. Day visitors can enter
between 6 AM & 12 Noon and visitors with reservation
between 6 AM & 2 PM. Similipal National Park remains
open from 1 November to 15 June only. |
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