Simlipal elephant reserve is also a National Park in the state of Orissa. The national park have derived its name from the abundance grwoth of the Semul and red silk cotton trees. The elephant reserve was originally a hunting ground for the kings which was later converted to sanctuary which became a national park in the event of time. The National park is a part of the tiger reserve and it have about 95 tigers.Government of India declared Simlipal as Biosphere reserve in 1994 and in the year 2009, UNESCO added it to its list of International Biospheres.
The forest have 61 villages and about 10,000 people live in those forests. These people are mainly tribals. The park has a total area of 2750 sq kms and is at an altitude of 559.31 mts. Out of the total 2750sq kms, 845.70 sq.kms comes under protected area. The national park is the home of Asian Elephants, Tiger and Gaur. The forest is located in the northernmost district of Orissa and is mainly hilly in terrain. The park receives an annual rainfall of about 2000mm. The park have 12 rivers running across it and is the home land of lots of medicinal and aromatic plants and 82 different kinds of Orchids. The park is also the home land of Mugger crocodiles at Jashipur.
The climate during summer is too high and it goes upto 40 degrees and during winter it falls up to 14 degrees. The forest reserve remains open from mid October to mid June. To enter one have to get a permit from the Assistant Conservator of Forest in Jashipur or from the Range Officer at Pithabata. The permits have to be obtained from the entry points atleast two weeks in advance. The tourists are allowed to visit the park from 6.00 am in the morning to 12.00 noon and is extended for another 2 hours till 2.00 pm for the reservation holders. The park can be entered either from Pithabata or from Jashipur. The Santal tribes celebrate feast and dance festival during the month of January which can be attended by tourists after prior notification.
How to reach Simlipal National Park:
Airports: The nearest airports are Kolkata at 240 kms and Bhubaneshwar at 270 kms. Many prefer to drive to the national park directly from Kolkata.
By rail: The nearest railway station is Balasore which is at 60kms from Baripada.
By road: The district headquarters of Mayurbhanj distrcit Baripada is on the junction of NH5 and 6 and is 170kms from Bhubaneshwar by road and 240 kms from Kolkatta, 60 kms from Baripada and 22 kms from Pithabata, 94 kms from Jashipur on N.H.6. Both the entry points are well connected by regular bus services.
Once entered inside the park, one can hire jeeps to venture inside the forest. People can do bird watching, trekking, nature walks, buy handloom products, stone carvings and curios from the locals and also visit the tribals living in that area.
Food and Drinks inside the park: Indian and local cuisine is available at the tourist lodges inside the park. Bottled water is available but Alchoholic beverages and drinks are prohibited inside the park.
Accomodation inside the park: There are a number of Forest rest houses within the forest run by Orissa Tourism department which needs advance booking.
Tourist office, Baripada, Ph. 06792 - 52553, Fax 56705
Youth Hostel at Jashipur also provides accomodation for those visiting Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary.
Contact Information:
Assistant Conservator of Forests, Jashipur Ph. 06797-2474.
The forest have 61 villages and about 10,000 people live in those forests. These people are mainly tribals. The park has a total area of 2750 sq kms and is at an altitude of 559.31 mts. Out of the total 2750sq kms, 845.70 sq.kms comes under protected area. The national park is the home of Asian Elephants, Tiger and Gaur. The forest is located in the northernmost district of Orissa and is mainly hilly in terrain. The park receives an annual rainfall of about 2000mm. The park have 12 rivers running across it and is the home land of lots of medicinal and aromatic plants and 82 different kinds of Orchids. The park is also the home land of Mugger crocodiles at Jashipur.
The climate during summer is too high and it goes upto 40 degrees and during winter it falls up to 14 degrees. The forest reserve remains open from mid October to mid June. To enter one have to get a permit from the Assistant Conservator of Forest in Jashipur or from the Range Officer at Pithabata. The permits have to be obtained from the entry points atleast two weeks in advance. The tourists are allowed to visit the park from 6.00 am in the morning to 12.00 noon and is extended for another 2 hours till 2.00 pm for the reservation holders. The park can be entered either from Pithabata or from Jashipur. The Santal tribes celebrate feast and dance festival during the month of January which can be attended by tourists after prior notification.
How to reach Simlipal National Park:
Airports: The nearest airports are Kolkata at 240 kms and Bhubaneshwar at 270 kms. Many prefer to drive to the national park directly from Kolkata.
By rail: The nearest railway station is Balasore which is at 60kms from Baripada.
By road: The district headquarters of Mayurbhanj distrcit Baripada is on the junction of NH5 and 6 and is 170kms from Bhubaneshwar by road and 240 kms from Kolkatta, 60 kms from Baripada and 22 kms from Pithabata, 94 kms from Jashipur on N.H.6. Both the entry points are well connected by regular bus services.
Once entered inside the park, one can hire jeeps to venture inside the forest. People can do bird watching, trekking, nature walks, buy handloom products, stone carvings and curios from the locals and also visit the tribals living in that area.
Food and Drinks inside the park: Indian and local cuisine is available at the tourist lodges inside the park. Bottled water is available but Alchoholic beverages and drinks are prohibited inside the park.
Accomodation inside the park: There are a number of Forest rest houses within the forest run by Orissa Tourism department which needs advance booking.
Tourist office, Baripada, Ph. 06792 - 52553, Fax 56705
Youth Hostel at Jashipur also provides accomodation for those visiting Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary.
Contact Information:
Assistant Conservator of Forests, Jashipur Ph. 06797-2474.
No comments:
Post a Comment