Baripada: After being closed for five months during the rainy season, Similipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district reopened for tourists on Friday.
Pithabata Forest Range Officer, Ugrasena Jena said around 100 tourists, including three from Kashmir, were allowed to enter the park on the first day.
Jena said the visitors were told not to carry non-veg food, narcotics and polythene bags inside the park. “While the park has been declared polythene-free for the past four years, the state government has also totally banned single-use plastics from October 2. We will strictly adhere to the directive in letter and spirit,” he added.
For night stay inside the park, the Forest Department has made provisions to accommodate visitors at Kumari, Gudugudia, Ramatirtha, Barehipani and Jamuani. The tourists can book their cottage online at www.ecotourodisha.com
The park will remain open from 6 am to 5 pm and entry permits will be issued from 6 am to 9 am. Those visiting the park via Jashipur will return via the Baripada road.
The national park usually remains closed from mid-June to October 31 as the forest roads get damaged in the rain. It reopens after the repair of roads in October.
Spread over an area of 2,750 sq km, the Similipal National Park is is largest tiger reserve in the country. It is famous for its pristine beauty coupled with varied flora and fauna along with waterfalls and vast species of wild animals.
