Similipal Tiger Reserve

Similipal Tiger Reserve : Recently, the Odisha government declared Similipal Tiger Reserve as the state’s second national park after Bhitarkanika, making it the 107th national park in India.

• About Similipal Tiger Reserve: Located in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, Similipal is the only known habitat of wild melanistic tigers and is home to a significant population of Royal Bengal tigers, elephants, and a rich variety of orchid species, many of which are endemic.

o It lies in the Deccan Peninsular Biogeographic Zone (Chhotanagpur Province, Mahanadian Region).

o Known for scenic waterfalls like Barehipani and Joranda, and peaks such as Khairiburu and Meghashini.

o The forest is a mix of sal, moist deciduous, and semi-evergreen vegetation, supporting rich biodiversity and forest-dependent communities.

o Key ungulates include sambar, chital, barking deer, gaur, and mouse deer.