A week after Odisha's Similipal Forest Reserve (also known as the Similipal Tiger Reserve) caught fire, the state administration has swung into action to douse the flame that continues to rage on.

Similipal Forest Reserve

The Similipal Forest Reserve is spread over an area of 2,750 square kilometers. The raging flames of the fire continue to spread from one part to another. The fire has so far devoured eight out of the total 21 ranges of the Similipal forest division, causing widespread damage and death of endangered animals.

=> It was only after the princess of the erstwhile royal family of Mayurbhanj, Akshita M Bhanjdeo tweeted about the Similipal fire that the Odisha Administration took stock of the situation.

Who is Akshita M Bhanjdeo?

Akshita M Bhanj Deo is the third daughter of Praveen Chandra Bhanjdeo, the 47th ruler of the Bhanja dynasty, part of India’s princely state of Mayurbhanj and now part of Odisha.

Similipal National Park is a national park and a tiger reserve in the Mayurbhanj district in the Indian state of Odisha covering 2,750 km2 (1,060 sq mi). It is part of the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, which includes three protected areas — Similipal Tiger Reserve, Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary with 191.06 km2 (73.77 sq mi) and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary with 272.75 km2 (105.31 sq mi). Simlipal National Park derives its name from the abundance of red silk cotton trees growing in the area. It is the 7th largest national park in India. The park is home to Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, gaur, and chausingha. along with some of the beautiful waterfalls like Joranda and Barehipani Falls. This protected area is part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 2009.