Similipal Tiger Reserve

The Similiipal Tiger Reserve is located on the Chhotanagpur Plateau, in the centre of the former Mayurbhanj State. It is named after the wonderful and fascinating Simul (Silk Cotton Tree). In the poem 'Usha,' penned by the legendary Oriya poet Radhanath Ray, the hill range is appropriately characterized as "Salmali Saila" (the hill of Simul). The hills rise sharply from the plains of Udala in the south and Baripada in the south-east and reach up to Jashipur in the north-west, Bisnoi in the north, and Thakurmunda in the west, with several peaks and valleys in between. Several streams flow in various directions, eventually pouring into the Bay of Bengal. Budhabalanga, Palpala, East Deo, Nekedanacha (Salandi), West Deo, Khairi, Bhandan, and Khadkei are the major perennial streams. In 1979, the Government of Odisha created Similipal Sanctuary, covering an area of around 2200 square kilometres. In 1980, the Government of Orissa recommended a 303-square-kilometer section of the Similipal Sanctuary as a National Park. In 1986, the planned National Park's extent was expanded to 845 square kilometres. The Government of India established the Similipal Biosphere Reserve in 1994. The reserve is home to Northern Tropical Semievergreen Forests and Northern Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests.

Description

State : Odisha

District :Mayurbhanj

Coordinates : 22° 34’ N, 87° 10’ E

Area : 2750.00 Sq.km.

TR Notification year : 1973-1974

Tiger Population :08 (All India Tiger Esitmation, 2018)