Bhubaneswar: The Similipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district reopened for tourists on Monday amid strict adherence to COVID-19 protocol. The popular park was closed since May.
Entry into Similipal Tiger Reserve will be allowed between 6 am and 9 pm from two gates – Kaliani gate in Jashipur block under Karanjia (North) Wildlife Division in 35 tourists vehicles and Pithabata gate under Baripada Territorial Forest Division in 25 tourist vehicles. The cap on the number of vehicles will ensure smooth flow of traffic, the official notice said.
Ticket counters have been set up at these two gates and visitors have to leave from Barehipani and Jaranda before 3 pm and from Chahala before 4 pm. Tourists have to plan their trip in such a way that they can return by 5 pm through exit gates (Pithabata, Tulasibani and Kaliani).
A tourist guide will be provided in each vehicle at the entry point which the visitors can hire by paying extra charges.
Accommodation for night halt at Gudgudia, Kumari, Ramtirtha, Barehipani and Jamuani can be booked through the website, www.ecotourodisha.com.
One of the largest in the country and spread over an area of 2,750 sq km, the park was closed since May following a surge in COVID cases. Some staff members of Lulung Aranya Nivas had reportedly tested positive for the virus.
It was opened in November last year after a gap of almost eight months with strict guidelines including a cap on the number of vehicles entering from different gates of the park under the Baripada wildlife division.
A total of 43,358 tourists had visited the park last year.
