Simlipal National Park (Orissa)

Simlipal National Park is a national park and an elephant reserve situated in the Mayurbhanj district in the Indian state of Orissa. Simlipal National Park derives its name from the abundance of Semul or red silk cotton trees that bloom vividly. 

The park has an area of 845.70 square kilometres (326.53 sq mi) and has some beautiful waterfalls like Joranda and Barehipani. Simlipal is home to ninety-nine Royal Bengal Tigers, 432 Wild elephants. Besides Simlipal is famous for Gaurs (Indian Bisons), Chausingha, as well as an orchidarium. 

One can enter into Similipal through Pithabata (22 kilometres (14 mi) from Baripada) and 98 kms via Jashipur. Entry permits can be obtained from the Range Officer, Pithabata check gate upon paying prescribed fees. Day visitors can enter between 6 AM & 12 Noon and visitors with reservation between 6 AM & 9 AM. Similipal National Park remains open from 1 October to 15 June only. 

History

Simlipal elephant reserve originated mainly as a hunting ground for the royalty. It was formally designated a tiger reserve in 1956 and under Project Tiger in May 1973. “Mugger Crocodile Scheme” was started in the year 1979 at Ramatirtha, Jashipur.

Government of Orissa declared Simlipal as a wildlife sanctuary in 1979 with an area of 2,200 square kilometres (850 sq mi). Later in 1980, Government of Orissa proposed 303 square kilometres (117 sq mi) of the sanctuary as a National Park. Further in 1986, area of the national park was increased to 845.70 square kilometres (326.53 sq mi). Government of India declared Simlipal as a biosphere reserve in 1994. UNESCO added this National park to its list of Biosphere Reserves in May 2009. There are 10,000 people living in 61 villages in the forest. That is why Simlipal is yet to be declared a full-fledged park, despite its having the status of one of the fifteen biospheres of India. 

Geography and climate

The park is located in the Mayurbhanj district in the Indian state of Orissa. Simlipal elephant Reserve is an ecosystem complete with forest vegetation (mainly sal trees), fauna and the adjoining Santhal tribal settlements. The park has a total area of 2,750 square kilometres (1,060 sq mi). The average elevation is 559.31 metres (1,835.0 ft).  However, the entire Simlipal area is undulating, rising from 600 metres (2,000 ft) to 1,500 metres (4,900 ft). The high hills of Simlipal are surrounding Meghasani, the highest peak in the national park. at an altitude of 1,165 metres (3,822 ft), followed by Khairiburu at above 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) elevation. At least 12 rivers cut across the plain area. The prominent among them are Budhabalanga, Palpala Bandan, Kahairi and Deo. This sprawling forest also has many waterfalls such as, Joranda 493 feet (150 m) and Barehipani that are a perpetual attraction to the tourist, the latter at an elevation of 1,308 feet (399 m) gives a panoramic view of the park. It has withstood two cyclones in 1982 and 1999 without any prominent damages. 

Summers are very hot with temperatures around 40 °C (104 °F) whereas the temperature during winter months can be as low as 14 °C (57 °F). The rainfall ranges from moderate to heavy. 

Caution: Cerebral malaria

Simlipal falls under a high cerebral malaria-prone zone. In cerebral malaria the sequestrated red blood cells can breach the blood brain barrier possibly leading to coma. Cerebral malaria, if not detected, causes death within 15 days of infection.

Initial symptoms of cerebral malaria are often mistaken as those of acute jaundice. There have been many recorded cases of death due to cerebral malaria after visits to Simlipal. Therefore, it is extremely important for tourists to be aware of the threats posed by cerebral malaria before planning a visit to Simlipal. For further information on deadly infection threats related to forest visits in India, one may refer to the website of the Centre for Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Kolkata, India.

Flora and fauna

The park is a treasure house of 1076 species of plants belonging to 102 families. 96 species of orchids have also been identified here. It has a mixed type of vegetation known as Orissa semi-evergreen forests with tropical moist broadleaf forest and tropical moist deciduous forests with dry deciduous hill forest and high level Sal forests. The grasslands and the savannas provide grazing grounds for the herbivores and hiding place to the carnivores. The forest boasts of innumerable medicinal and aromatic plants, which provide a source of earnings for the tribal people. Eucalyptus, plantated by the British during the 1900 are also found.

A total of 42 species of mammals, 242 species of birds and 30 species of reptiles have been recorded in Simlipal National Park. The major mammals include Tiger, Leopard, Asian elephant, Sambar, Barking deer, Gaur, Jungle cat, Wild boar, Chausingha (four horned antelope), Giant squirrel and Common langur. 231 species of birds nest in these forests. Red Junglefowl, Hill Mynah, Peacock, Alexandrine Parakeet, Crested Serpent Eagle are the commonly found bird. The Grey Hornbill, Indian Pied Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill and Indian Trogon are also found in the reserve. Apart from the large number of mammals and bird species, the park has a sizeable population of reptiles, which includes snakes and turtles. The "Mugger Crocodile Management Programme" has helped the Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) to survive and flourish on the banks of Khairi river. 

The royal beast the tigers, the mammoth tuskers, frightening black panthers, the astonishing white tigers, fascinating migrants like pelicans and residents like kingfishers are a common site in the wilds of Orissa. The mangroves teaching us the principles of adaptations, the simul trees bearing the fire red flowers with sals and other deciduous make the flora of the region immensely rich while the rivers, estuaries, Georges, deltas and creeks enhance the geomorphic significance making Orissa a natural wonderland. To preserve these natural grandeurs three national parks have been set up in the state of Orissa viz. Simlipal National Park, Bhitarkanika National Park and Nandan Kanan National Park.

Simlipal National Park is located in the Mayurbhanj district of north Eastern Orissa. This national park spread in an area of 845 sq km is the erstwhile hunting ground of the royals of Mayurbhanj Empire. It was declared as a national park in the year 1956; it started seeking the attention of the animal lovers and environmentalists after the launch of project tiger in 1972, during the very initial phases of the implementation of the project. The implementation of the campaign resulted in the conversion of the tiger reserve into a national park.

The red silk cotton trees or the semul trees have given the national park its name ‘Simlipal’. The waterfalls of Joranda and Barehipani make it an ideal destination for picnics. The big herd of elephants grazing on the lush green salubrious grasses of Simlipal makes it a paradise for tourists. Around twelve rivers crisscross the lands of Simlipal. 

Flora in the Simlipal National Park

The park has 1076 species of plants those belong to 106 varieties along with presence 96 exquisite species of orchid and a wide range of aromatic and medicinal herbs. The forests type of the park is called Orissa Semi Green Evergreen forests dominated by tropical moist broadleaf forest and tropical moist deciduous forests along with dry deciduous hill forest and high level Sal forests. 

Fauna in the Simlipal National Park

Apart from 432 wild asian elpehants and 99 tigers the park is the playground for 42 species of mammals and 30 species of reptilians which includes leopards, Barking Deer, Sambar, Wild Boar, Chausinghas, Barking Deer, Gaur, Giant Squrrel, Jungle Cat and common langur.Red Jungle Fowls, Hill Mynah, Alexandring Parakeet, Peacock, Crested Serpent Eagle, Greay Hornbill, Indian Trogon, Indian Pied Hornbill and Malabar Pied Hornbill are the prominent of the 242 species of birds nesting in the park. The ‘Mugger Crocodile Management Programme’ implimented on the banks of Khairi River has been instrumental in boosting the mugger crocodile populaiton of the park 

 

When to Visit Simlipal National Park

Best time to visit simlipal is between October to June when the park reamins open for the visitors. The cliamte of the region is not suitable for visitng the park in rest of the year. The entry permits can be obatained from the Pithabatha check gate. 

How to Reach Simlipal National Park

The national park is approachable by air, railand road. Jamshedpur, Bhubaneshwar and Kolkata are the nearest airports. These three are also the main railsheads near the nationa park. A broad and thick netwrk of roads connects Simlipal to rest of the world.

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