Context:
On April 24, 2025, the Odisha government officially notified the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) as a national park, covering 845.70 square kilometers. This marks the 107th national park in India and the second in Odisha, following Bhitarkanika.
About Similipal Tiger Reserve
Located in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, Similipal is home to 40 royal Bengal tigers, 25% of Odisha’s elephant population, and over 360 bird species. The reserve also hosts 104 species of orchids, many endemic, alongside leopards, sambar deer, and mugger crocodiles.
· Its forests, a mix of sal trees, moist deciduous and semi-evergreen types, create a thriving habitat for wildlife and forest-dependent communities.
· Similipal is renowned for being home to the world’s only wild melanistic tigers, which possess higher-than-normal levels of melanin, giving their coats a darker appearance.
· These tigers are genetically distinct and contribute to the area’s global ecological significance.
Impact of the National Park Status
National Parks in India are protected by the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, which sets the rules for creating and managing these areas. The aim is to control human activities in national parks and reduce disturbances to wildlife.
· The declaration of Similipal as a national park is a significant move to reinforce Odisha’s ecological legacy and commitment to sustainable development.
· The national park now covers 845.70 square kilometers, while the rest of the 2,750 square kilometer reserve will be designated as a wildlife sanctuary.
· This ensures stricter conservation measures in the national park, with no human activities allowed. The park will include all flora, fauna, and objects of historical and geographic significance.
· Similipal’s new status integrates its roles as a wildlife sanctuary, Project Tiger site, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and elephant reserve, enhancing its protection and recognition.
Conservation Measures and Future Plans
· The Odisha government has launched the Greater Similipal Landscape Programme, featuring camera towers, AI-powered trail guard cameras, and V-SAT communication networks for enhanced surveillance.
· A dedicated security force, including trained police and ex-servicemen, will safeguard the park. In a significant conservation effort, two female tigers from Tadoba Andheri Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, have been introduced to diversify Similipal’s tiger gene pool, aiming for a population of 100 by 2036.
· The "Ama Similipal Yojana" has also been launched, focusing on skill training, eco-tourism, cultural tourism, and infrastructure improvements to balance conservation with sustainable development and create economic opportunities.
Conclusion
The elevation of Similipal to national park status represents a significant achievement in India’s conservation efforts. With its rich biodiversity and unique wildlife, Similipal plays a critical role in India’s ecological preservation strategy. The integration of advanced conservation measures, tiger population growth, and community development ensures a sustainable future for the reserve.
