Context:

• Similipal Tiger Reserve, located in Mayurbhanj district, has been officially notified as Odisha’s second national park (after Bhitarkanika).

• It becomes the 107th national park in India under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Key Details of Notification:

• New National Park Area: 845.70 sq. km (now fully protected, rights-free zone)

  • No human habitation, agriculture, grazing, or resource extraction allowed.

• Remaining Area: ~1,904 sq. km will function as a Wildlife Sanctuary with regulated activities.

• The Greater Similipal Landscape Programme is being implemented to ensure:

  • Conservation of buffer zones

  • Restoration of ecological corridors for species movement

  • Community engagement in eco-development

About Similipal:

Geographical Significance:

• Location: Northern Odisha, Mayurbhanj district

• Coordinates: Between 21°28′N and 22°08′N latitudes, and 86°04′E and 86°37′E longitudes

• Biogeographic Zone: Deccan Peninsula

  • Biotic Province: Chhotanagpur Plateau

  • Region: Mahanadian

• Topography:

  • Characterized by undulating terrain, dense forests, and river valleys

  • Surrounded by eastern highlands and plateaus

  • Highest peaks: Khairiburu (1178 m) and Meghashini (1158 m)

Hydrology and Ecosystems:

• Major rivers: Budhabalanga, Palpala, and Salandi

• Known for scenic waterfalls such as:

  • Barehipani Falls (399 m) – second-highest waterfall in India

  • Joranda Falls (150 m)

Biodiversity Significance:

Fauna:

• Only known natural habitat of wild melanistic tigers (black tigers) globally

• Houses ~40 Royal Bengal Tigers, over 25% of Odisha’s elephant population

• Home to major ungulates like:

  • Sambar (Rusa unicolor)

  • Chital (Axis axis)

  • Barking deer (Muntiacus vaginalis)

  • Gaur (Bos gaurus)

  • Mouse deer (Moschiola indica)

• Presence of apex predators and a healthy prey base ensures robust trophic dynamics

Flora:

• Forest types:

  • Moist deciduous, semi-evergreen, and sal-dominated tracts

• Botanical richness:

  • Over 1,076 plant species, including 104 orchid species, many endemic to the region

Cultural and Anthropological Aspects:

• Traditionally inhabited by tribal communities like the Santhal, Ho, Munda, and Bhumij

• Ongoing efforts for voluntary relocation and community-based ecotourism to balance conservation with livelihood needs

Conservation Importance:

• Similipal is part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (designated in 2009)

• Functions as a tiger source population under Project Tiger (since 1973)

• Provides crucial connectivity to the Eastern Ghats–Chhotanagpur Elephant Landscape

Comparison with Bhitarkanika National Park: