Simlipal National Park Odisha

Location :Mayurbhanj, Odisha
Coverage area : 2700 sq. km
Main attraction : Asian Elephant, tiger and gaur
Best time to visit :October to May
Nearby excursions : Barheipani Falls, Jaranda Falls
Nearby cities :Bhubaneswar

Taking its name from the abundance of semul or red silk cotton trees which form a vivid bloom in this region, the Simlipal National Park is home to three of India's biggest animal species - Asian Elephant, tiger and gaur. It is nestled in the very centre of Mayurbhanj, the northernmost district of Odisha (Orissa). Simlipal was once a hunting ground for the erstwhile rulers of Marurbhanj which today is one of the most picturesque and scenic town in Orissa. The area was declared as a wildlife sanctuary by the Government of Orissa in 1979 is also considered as one of the main tiger project in India.

Simlipal was acknowledged as a tiger

reserve in 1973 and in the year of 1980, this area was declared as the National Park. It is one of the ten UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in India and is spread across 2700 sq. km of which 850 Sq. KM is protected by the wild life act 1972.

Apart from its biodiversity, the region around Simlipal has been the home to some of the prominent tribes of the country such as Santhala, Bhumija, Kolha, Bhatudi, Khadia, Mankadia, Gondas, and Sahara. While the tribes earlier followed a number of traditional conservation practices, with the rise in the tourism across the forest and the National Park, there have been in their traditional practices.

Climatic conditions

The area of Simlipal reserve is a rich example of bio-diversity and is gifted with some of the indigenous flora and fauna varieties, thanks to its amazing geographic location. The average elevation is 559.31 metres and there is a rising from 600 metres to 1,500 metres. The temperature is around 40?C during the summers and the winters see a close to 14?C. There's moderate to very heavy rainfall in the area depending on the monsoon season.

Best time to visitSimlipal National Park Odisha

The ideal time to visit this National Park is the winter season. The temperature remains comfortable from October to December and is apt for visiting the monuments and other places of interest near Simlipal. The best months to visit are October, November, December, February, April and May. Some prefer to enjoy the greenery post the monsoon season when the temperature remains between 13?C to 25?C. Light cotton clothes are the best attire if you want to enjoy freely.

Animals that inhabit the sanctuary

Wildlife with a plethora of wildlife attractions in the National Park, it is one of the ideal places to enjoy a wide range of avifauna, flora and fauna.

The park is full of precious Sal trees and the topography gets denser as and how you proceed in the forest. It is the biggest Reserve Forest block of India with an area of 2271.78 km?. The most common animals found in the area include :

Tiger
Leopard
Elephant
Bison
Bear
Ratel
Sambar

Spotted Deer
Mouse Deer
Barking Deer
Wild Boar
Giant Squirrel
Flying Squirrel
Otter

Langur
Porcupine
Pangolin
Leopard
Barking and Spotted Deer
Sloth Bear Mongoose

Some of the interesting birds found in the National Park includes :

Red Jungle Fowl
Hill Myna
Grey Hornbill
Indian Pied Hornbill

Malabar Pied Hornbill
Indian Trogon
Peafowl
Alexandrine Parakeet

Crested Serpent Eagle
Grey Wagtail
Alexandrine Parakeet
Serpent Eagle

Not only these, but there is a wide range of reptiles as well. Python, Monitor Lizard, Forest Calotes, Chameleon, Mugger Crocodile, King Cobra, Viper, Banded Krait, Black Turtle, Rat snake, Common krait, Russel?s viper are some of them to name.

Flora

With more than 1076 species of plants belonging to 102 different families, Simlipal Reserve is a treasure house for the floral enthusiasts. Over 96 species of orchids have been identified here and most of it is a part of mixed type of vegetation known as Odisha semi-evergreen forests. Predominantly, the reserve has tropical moist deciduous forests along with dry deciduous hill forest with Sal trees across the area. The grasslands and the savannas are seen as the brooding grounds for the herbivores.

Interestingly, there are innumerable medicinal and aromatic plants in the forest that serve as a source of earnings for the tribal people.

Distance of Simlipal National Park Odisha from major cities:

Delhi, 1525.3 km
Mumbai, 1712.3 km
Kolkata, 280 km
Jaipur, 1261 km
Hyderabad, 1005 km
Bhubaneswar, 281 km
Chennai, 1698 km

How to reach the National park ?

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Airways

The nearest airports are Bhubaneswar and Kolkata airport, which are both about 270 and 240 Km from the National Park respectively. Baripada, the district headquarters of Mayurbhanj, lies on the junction of NH 5 and 6. It is approximately 240 km from Kolkata, 170 km from Bhubaneswar, 60 km from Balasore and 22 km from Pithabata. One of the other entry point is Jashipur is 94 km from Baripada which is located on the NH 6. Both these entry points are well connected by state bus services but for tourists there are facilities for taxis and jeeps. The bus services run by the OSRTC connect the major towns in and around the state. The most frequently operated services are from Jamshedpur, Kolkata and Bhubaneswar.

Railways

Being one of the most loved tourist attractions of Orissa, it is well connected by the railways as well. The nearest railhead is Balasore which is about 60 km from Baripada. Various passenger and express trains connect Orissa and the nearby cities. The direct rail connect is there between Kolkata and Bhubaneswar. The major trains running on the South-Eastern sector connect Balasore with the rest of the major cities.

Accommodation facilities

There are number of options for accommodation around the National Park. Advance booking is officially required if you wish to stay in the forest lodges or rest houses in Baripada through the Field Director of Project Tiger - Baripada, Mayurbhunj district. Being one of the famous tourist attractions, they have developed some world-class resorts, hotels and guests houses with all the facilities and stunning view of nature.

Things to do

There are a number of activities you can get involved into while at the National Park. Some of the common interests include but not limited to :

Birding
Jungle Trekking
Hill Trekking
Star Gazing
Farm Visits
Cultural Tours

All these are generally accompanies by the eco tour guides.

Simlipal has an assemblage of ecosystems ranging into the forests, grasslands and wetlands. Because of its bio-geographical situation and geological features, and for being one of the first eight Biosphere Reserves of India, it is possible the most ideal place to visit for Scientists pursuing studies on biodiversity.

Nearby Places / Attractions

Barheipani Falls

One of the most spectacular and eye-catching waterfall in the Simlipal reserve area can be best seen from a height of 399m. This is a perfect beauty for environment-loving tourists. Its mesmerizing landscape helps to make a grand escape from the urban life.

Jaranda Falls

It is a breathtaking attraction located at the core region of Simlipal. It is surrounded by thick vegetation and its year-round cool climate makes it marvelous picnic spot.

Trekking

Natural walks, hiking and rough trekking are some of the attractions loved by the youngsters. To make it more interesting, the experienced eco tour guides can assist with the factual information on the thrills of the trails.