Similipal National Park In Odisha Reopens For Tourists After One Month

Baripada: After a month-long hiatus, Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district reopened for tourists from Wednesday.

This followed a meeting with a local outfit Similipal Vikash Parishad at Chahala Chhak on Tuesday to discuss their demands in the presence of STR officials and Jashipur police. Deputy director of STR, North Wildlife division Sai Kiran told the meeting that the demands of the protesters will be fulfilled under the government-sponsored schemes.

The park was temporarily closed after the protesters blocked its entry points at Jashipur on November 27 over essential amenities such as installation of towers, mobile network facilities, well-constructed roads, and concrete bridges within the park.

The road blockade affected the entry of visitors to the nature camps. There are five ecotourism sites in the STR’s buffer area at Gudgudia, Jamuani, Kumari, Barehipani and Ramtirtha.

As per official reports, the park received 38,262 tourists, generating revenue of Rs 17,92,695 until April 30, 2023. However, the sudden temporary closure has disrupted this positive trend.