Wildlife - Tour in Simplipal Wildlife Sanctuary

Location : Orissa . Area : 845.70 sq. kms .

Best time to visit : November to June.

Access : Air : Nearest airport is at Bhubaneshwar- 310 kms. Rail : Nearest railhead is at Baripada- 50 kms.

Introduction : Similipal Sanctuary and National Park is one of the most important wildlife parks, not only in Orissa but also in India. Similipal, about 2,750 sq. km expance, in the Mayurbhanj district is one of the most important wildlife parks in India.

Wildlife Species : Specially chosen to be one of the tiger reserves identified by ''''project tiger'''' to handle the onerous task of conserving fast depleting tiger population. Simplipal Wildlife Sanctuary has 95 tigers within it''''s bounds. Leopards, sambars, langurs, barking and spotted deer, gaur, elephant and the ''''four-horned'''' antelope. The protected environment of the park has provided shelter to a number of other mammals. 230 species of birds nest in these forests. Red Jungle Fowl, hill mynah, peafowl, alexandrine parakeet, crested serpent eagle are common. The Grey Hornbill, Indian pied hornbill, malabar pied hornbill and Indian trogon are also found in the reserve. One can also get the view of lush valleys and forest lands. The Barehipani waterfall and Joranda fall are worth a visit as is the mugger crocodiles at Jashipur -- one of the two entry points to Similipal.

Vegetation : Simplipal Wildlife Sanctuary houses some 501 species of plants belonging to 102 families. 82 species of orchids have also been identified here. It has a mixed type of vegetation with Northern tropical semi-evergreen trees and Northern tropical moist deciduous trees. Along with dry deciduous hill forest and high level Sal forests. The forest boasts of innumerable medicinal and aromatic plants, which provide a source of earnings for the tribals.

Accommodation : Forest Rest House