Simlipal National Park at a Glance :

Area : 2,750 sq km (gross area)

Languages : Oriya, English

Best time to visit : October to mid-June

About Simlipal National Park :

Simlipal Tiger Reserve originated primarily as a hunting ground for the royalty. It was formally designated a tiger reserve in 1956 under Project Tiger in May 1972. It was elevated to a national park status in 1979. Located in the Mayurbhanj district ofIndia. s coastal state of Orissa, Simlipal Tiger Reserve is an ecosystem complete with forest vegetation (mainly sal trees), fauna and the adjoining Santhal tribal settlements. High plateaus and hills, the highest peak being the Mangesheri, surround the forest. At least 12 rivers cut across the plain area. The prominent among them are Burhabalanga, Palpala Bandan, Kahairi and Deo. This sprawling forest also has many waterfalls that are a perpetual attraction to the tourist. It has withstood two cyclones. in 1982 and 1999. without any irrevocable damages and continues to enchant visitors.

Flora in the Simlipal National Park :

The national park is home to 501 plant species belonging to 102 families. The 82 species of orchids comprise of the major floral attractions in the park. The Simlipal National Park has a mixed vegetation of Northern tropical semi-evergreen forests, Northern tropical moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous hill forests and high-level Sal forests. The medicinal and aromatic plants, the grasslands and the savannas provide the bread and butter to the indigenous tribes dwelling in the park premises.

Wildlife in Simlipal National Park :

Besides the large number of Tigers, the national park and tiger reserve at Simlipal has Leopards, Sambhars, Langurs, Barking and Spotted Deer, Chitals, Chevrotains, Wild dog, Wild boar, Sloth bears, Monkeys, Hyenas, Porcupines, Gaur, Elephant and the 'Four-horned' antelope. The major bird species within the 230 bird species found in the park are: Red Jungle Fowl, Alexandrine Parakeet, Crested Serpent Eagle, Grey Hornbill, Indian Pied Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Indian Trogon Hill Mynah, Peafowl, etc. The reptilian population in the Simlipal National Park includes snakes and turtles. The Mugger Crocodile has survived and flourished well in the park.

Places to Stay Simlipal National Park :

• Chahala Hotel
• Hunting Lodge

How to Reach at Simlipal National Park :

By Air : Simlipal Tiger Reserve can be reached easily through three major airports at Jamshedpur, Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. From these cities one can hire a taxi/bus to reach the national park. After returning from the tiger reserve of Simlipal, the tourists can also board a flight way back home.

By Rail : There are three railheads near the Simlipal Tiger Reserve in Orissa. These are Jamshedpur, Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. A dense road and highway network runs through these three places. The tourists can thus proceed towards their desired destination by surface.