Bhubaneswar: The Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) and the Wildlife Sanctuary would remain closed for tourists and visitors from June 16 in view of the monsoon.
According to STF field director M Mohan, the closure is a routine affair every year. The date of reopening of the STR and the sanctuary will be announced later, after the end of rainy season, he said.
Located in northern Odisha, the Similipal national park is spread over 2, 750 sqkm. The park is famous for pristine beauty coupled with its varied flora and fauna along with waterfalls and vast species of wild animals.
The park is considered to be the largest tiger reserve of the country.
Rare melanistic tiger or black tiger has been photographed in the core area of the Tiger Reserve in the recent past.