Baripada: Similipal National Park (SNP) will reopen for tourists from November 1 and a formal notification to this effect will be out October 20. A special website on Similipal tourism will also be launched October 25. The park authorities have implemented some eco-friendly steps this year. The tourists will be served food in plates and cups made from sal leaves. In addition, the tourists will sip tea in earthen cups. Online booking has started for entry of tourists, accommodation and conveyance facilities inside the park. “A special website on Similipal will be launched October 25,” said director of Similipal Tiger Reserve, T Ashok Kumar here Tuesday. The authorities have put in place tribal cottages, tree-top houses and bamboos houses for cozy accommodation of the tourists.
Thus, they will feel at home with nature in such facilities while enjoying a variety of tasty food items, it was said. The Similipal sanctuary spread over 2,750 square kilometres, is a treasure house of nature with dense forests, hills, streams, lakes and vibrant flora and fauna. The Forest department has implemented a host of measures to ensure tourists will have a memorable visit to the park. The scenic spots in the Similipal Tiger Reserve that attract scores of visitors every year include Chahala, Barehipani, Joranda, Naana, Gududia and Jamuani. There are two entry points to the sanctuary – one through the Kaliani check post from Jashipur side and the other through Pithabata from the Baripada side.
Special guards have been deployed for safety of the tourists. Five nature camps have been set up at Jenabili, Jamuani, Muktapur, Barehipani and Ramatirtha where tourist can avail night halts. Fifty nine tribal cottages in five buffer zones are also available. Advance booking for accommodation and food can be done through the website ‘similipal.org’ Although two points have been opened to facilitate smooth entry of tourists, certain limitations have been imposed which include the number of vehicles entering the STR every day and the timing of entry and exit. All tourists are required to leave Joranda and Barehipani waterfalls by 3.00pm and all other places by 4.00pm.