Similipal Biosphere Reserve is a wide range of forestry area located in the district of Mayurbhanj, state of Odisha, India. The most proximate city is Baripada. This city is only 19 km far away from Similipal and also the capital town of Mayurbhanj district. The spotlight of the Similipal biosphere reserve is the tiger reserve along with a wide varieties of wild animals and orchids. Three most consequent things which highlight its name and fame at the international level are the wide varieties of orchids, a very recherche and specious variety of Pseudo-melanistic Royal Bengal Tigers and its name placed in the list of the biosphere reserves of UNESCO(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).
About Similipal Biosphere Reserve
Similipal is the name derived from “Simul”, the local name of red silk cotton trees once grown abundantly in this forest area. This biosphere is widely spread in an area of about 2750 square kilometres out of which 1194.75 square kilometres are under core area and 1555.25 square kilometres as the buffer area. At first in 1885, Similipal forest was covered under the Forest Policy of the then Maharaja of Mayurbhanj state. In 1956, it was categorised as a tiger reserve and came under “Project Tiger” in May 1973 with the fortification of Shri S.R. Choudhury as the first field director of this tiger project. With time, the government of Odisha declared it as a wildlife sanctuary on 3rd December 1979 covering an area of 2200 square kilometres. In 1980, the state government gave a proposal to covert 303 square kilometres of this sanctuary as a national park and in 1986, the state government modified its proposal with an incrementing area from 303 square kilometres to 845.70 square kilometres. Similipal was declared as a biosphere reserve by government of India in 1994. At last in May 2009, this forestry came under the list of biosphere reserves of UNESCO. There are 61 villages and around 10000 people subsisting inside this biosphere which is one of the main cause not to give it a plenary national park status yet. But as per the Man and Biosphere(MAB) Programme of UNESCO, this biosphere reserve covering an area of 5569 square kilometres was engendered to bring the human population to the fold of management along with the biosphere to truncate the dependency on the forest through Eco-development programmes.
A Complete Tour Guideline For Visitors
Similipal biosphere reserve is located in the district of Mayurbhanj, the state of Odisha, India. The nearest city is Baripada. This city is almost 19 kilometres from the Pithabata entry gate of the Similipal biosphere. There are two entry gates for the Similipal biosphere. One is Pithabata from Baripada side and another one is the Kaliano gate from the Jashipur side. But it is better to entre Similipal through Pithabata check gate from Baipada side because it is the main city of Mayurbhanj district. So well communicated and also a junction point to visit other tourist places near to Similipal. The better suggestion to visit Similipal is that you should reach Baripada one day before your scheduled tour. There is some fixed number of vehicles allowed for one-day visit purpose in similipal. From the Pithabata check gate side it is 25 nos. of vehicles and from the Jahipur side, it is 35 nos. of vehicles on the first-come basis. You should have to reach any of the check gates to be counted within these fixed numbers.
If you are staying at Baripada then it is easy to reach the Pithabata check gate which is closer to you but you should leave your room before 4 o’clock early morning. There are some fixed entry fees at the booking counter(Rs. ~100) for Indian citizens and for foreign citizens it may vary. It is must to take a guide with you from the check gate who also has some charges. So you must have a seat in your vehicle for the guide. You also ask and be assured about any launch facilities if provided inside the forest by the authority which also may take some additional charges. But for uncertainty, it is better to take some dry veg food with you. Remember one thing, the area inside the forest is a completely plastic and polythene free restricted zone. So you should take care of it. Along with this, you must not take any non-veg food items or alcohol with you. Otherwise it will be counted as a punishable offence.
By Air
The nearest airports are Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar(256KM) and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata(230KM).
By Train
The nearest railway station is the Baripada railway station. This railway station is located at the heart of the town. From Bhubaneswar railway station you can get the daily Bangiriposi Intercity Super Fast Express at 5.30 p.m. It reaches at Baripada at 11.05 p.m. Otherwise you can reach at Balasore railway station and then the Baripada city by road. Several trains are available to reach Balasore railway station from several places.
By Road
A good bus service facility is available from Kolkata and almost all other places of Odisha to Baripada city.
Where To Stay At Baripada
- THE BELGADIA PALACE
- HOTEL DURGA (PH-06792 253438)
- HOTEL AMBICA (PH-06792 252557, 253287, 257057)
- HOTEL SIBAPRIYA (PH-06792 255138, 259103)
- HOTEL MOHAPATRA (PH-06792 255226, 309288)
- HOTEL SWAGAT (PH-06792 253309, 252172)
- HOTEL BISHRAM (PH-06792 253535)
- BARIPADA GUEST HOUSE (PH-06792 259437)
Night-halt at Similipal Biosphere Reserve
Far away from the crowed smart city life, it’s a romantic feeling close to nature. Do not miss the chance to stay at least one day and night inside this beautiful forest area. I promise it will give you a lifelong beautiful and memorable visit which you never yet expected.
There are several nature-friendly boarding facilities available inside the deep forest area by the authority. Pine Villa(Nawana), E. Villa(Chahala), Tribal Hut(Jamuani), Forest Rest House(Gudgudia), Tribal Hut(Jashipur) are some of the mindblowing places for night stay in the deep forest area. Also, there is a well-furnished and very attractive place to stay in the buffer area of Similipal is the Aranya Nivas Resort at Lulung. But you must have to book them online some days before your scheduled visiting programme or can contact the authority for any of the booking or inquiry purpose.
For more about booking and inquiry, you can visit:-
https://www.similipal.org/#view-1
What To See At Similipal Biosphere
As it is indicated above, Similipal biosphere reserve is popularly known for its tiger project and also for elephant reserve. According to a census conducted by the state government is 2016, almost 40 tigers presence was detected but according to the Wildlife Institute of India, it was 28 in 2014. So the accurate figure about the number of tigers at Similipal is a matter of controversy yet. But yes it is good to know that Similipal is the home of a rare variety of Pseudo-melanistic/Black Royal Bengal Tiger which were trapped in 2007. Of course in this vast 2750 square kilometres forest area it is quite difficult to see a tiger which is only depends on your luck but yes, a forest is not only the habitat of tigers. You can see a wide varieties of flora and fauna in this forest. More than many varieties of Orchids have been detected in Similipal biosphere reserve. They are the real jewellery of this forest which gives a look of the bride to it. Dendrobium, Paphiopedilum, Phalaenopsis, Vanda, Encyclia, Zygopetalum are some beautiful varieties of orchids that can be easily seen to you at Similipal biosphere reserve.
Similipal biosphere reserve is the habitat of the highest numbers of tiger population in the state of Odisha. Beside this, it has the richest bio-diversity you can ever seen yet. 55 species of mammals including elephant, leopard, wild boar, barking deer, giant squirrel, sambar, jungle cat, four-horned antelope, common langur and many more are seen in this jungle.
304 species of birds including hill mynah, alexandrine parakeet, lesser whistling duck, gadwall, red crested pochard, rudy shelduck, small button quail, brown-capped pygmy, woodpecker, yellow-crowned woodpecker, green sandpaper, mountagu’sharrier are the beauty of this forest. 60 species of reptiles are in Similipal biosphere reserve which include sizable population of longest venomous snakes, the king cobra and tricarinate hill turtle. The mugger management programme at Ramtirtha has helped the mugger crocodile to flourish on the bank of the Khairi and Deo rivers. 21 species of frogs including dubai’s tree frog, similipal bush frog, piggy tree frog, fungoid frog, marbled ballon frog, variegated ramanella, painted ballon frog, indian ballon frog are found commonly in Similipal. Also, 38 species of fish are present in the water body. 134 species of butterflies are recorded in this vast bio diversity.
Must Visit Spots At Similipal Biosphere Reserve
you must note to visit the following spots inside the biosphere:-
(1) Lulung
It is situated just at the entry point to Similipal biosphere reserve from Pithabata, Baripada side. There is a high-class accommodation and catering facility provided by Aranya Nivas is available here.
(2) Barehipani Waterfall
This is the crown on the head of nature’s queen Similipal. If you miss this place then your trip is completely incomplete. It is the second-highest waterfall in India and originated from the river Budhabalanga. Water falling from ~399 meters high.
(3) Joranda Waterfall
Close to the Barehipani waterfall and water falling from ~152 meters hight.
(4) Chahala
With the support of your luck, you can find a tiger walking away there. But you can frequently see elephants, deers and peacocks here.
(5) Ramtirtha
This place is known best for its mugger management programme.
(6) Sitakund Waterfall
This waterfall is situated just close to the Pithabata check gate at the buffer area of Similipal biosphere reserve. But if you have a one-day visit plan at Similipal then you must not visit this place before you get the visiting pass from the check gate. Otherwise you will cross the fixed number of vehicles that can enter the forest on the first-come and entry basis.
(7) Devkund Waterfall
The bathing spot of Gods. Crystal clear water falling from a hight of ~51 ft. A holy place having the temple of Goddess Ambika. It has a different route to visit this place. So you can visit here the next or a day before your Similipal trip.
Must Not To Do In Your Similipal Trip
You must have to know and follow the rules to visit this biosphere.
- Do not forget to take your identity proof with you.
- Do not forget to be sure about your booking confirmation if you have a night staying plan.
- Maybe network problems that occurred in most of the places but still do not forget to get the emergency numbers before entering this forest.
- Do not bring any non-veg items with you.
- Alcohol is strictly prohibited inside the forest.
- It is a plastic/polythene free zone. So do not take any plastic bottles or polythene with you. You can get paper items or beautiful plates made with tree leaves from the Baripada Town or the local area.
- Do not bring any forest products even if a single plant or orchid species with you at the time of returning. It is a very serious offence and you will be punishable very strictly by the authority.
There is a fixed time to entre in Similipal Biosphere Reserve. Which is in between the month of November to the last of May every year. The best time is in between November to the last of January. Then, in this winter season, let’s have a trip to Similipal Biosphere Reserve and yes, do not forget to share your experience in the comment box.
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