Baripada: The Similipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district reopened for visitors Monday, six months after it was shut down due to the onslaught of the COVID-19 second wave.
The park, spread over 2,750 sq km, comprises one of the largest tiger reserves in India.
Similipal Tiger Reserve Field Director M Yogajayanand greeted the visitors with roses at the Pithabata entry point in the morning, according to an official release.
On the first day, 193 tourists in 34 vehicles took a tour of the national park, Yogajayanand told PTI.
On any given day, 25 four-wheelers are permitted through the park’s Pithabata entry point and 35 vehicles via the Kaliani gate.
The tourists Monday were told to abide by the coronavirus guidelines, Yogajayanand said.
Similipal houses a wide variety of flora and fauna, many breathtaking waterfalls and green meadows.
The national park is also home to a rare black melanistic Royal Bengal Tiger.
Special arrangements have been made for the night stay of tourists in Similipal. Special squads have also been formed for their security. Facilities for night stay and restaurants have been made at Jamuani, Kumari, Gudugudia, Muktapur, Barehipani and Ramtirtha of the wildlife sanctuary. Tourists wishing to make night halts and enjoy food at the restaurants have to make advance bookings in online mode.
As every year the number of tourists visiting Similipal is increasing, the authorities have made special arrangements to make the stay memorable for the tourists. Arrangements for adventure sports, jungle safari, and mountain cycling will give thrilling experience to the tourists visiting the sanctuary this year. Moreover, arrangements for playing volleyball, badminton, carom and chess have been made at various tourist points inside the sanctuary.
Accompaniment by guide inside the sanctuary has been made mandatory inside the sanctuary for the tourists while use of polythene, carrying inflammable, non-vegetarian items and intoxicants have been completely banned inside the sanctuary. Uses of masks, social distancing and adherence to Covid-19 protocols have been made mandatory inside the sanctuary.
PTI