SIMILIPAL BIOSPHERE RESERVE ,MAYURBHANJ,ODISHA

 

SIMILIPAL,MAYURBHANJ,ODISHA

Similipal biosphere reserve is located in the Mayurbhanj district of the Indian state of Odisha, Similipal Biodiversity covers an area of ​​2,700 square Kms, of which the core area is 303 square Kms. It is the seventh largest national park in India. It is also called the Simlipal Tiger Project.

                                              BRIEF DESCRIPTION 

The Simlipal Biosphere Reserve is rich in natural resources. The combination of different types of vegetation and the coexistence of different species of animals is the nature of this ecosystem. You can see the tall Sal trees through out  the forest. Various types of birds and animal like elephants ,tigers ,deer ,sambars and rabbits can be seen here. There are about 1076 species of animals, 29 species of reptiles and 231 species of birds.

Of the small and large mountains in the Shimlipal Biosphere, Khiriburu (116 meters high) and Meghasini (1158 meters high) are the main ones. Some of the ever-flowing streams from the mountains are roaring downstream. The rivers Budhabhalang, Salandi, Khairi and Bhandan are among them. The rivers are flooded throughout the year and people use river water for agriculture, fishing and other activities.

HUMAN RESOURSES

The biosphere is in the Jashipur  block with three panchayats, namely Astakumar, Bareipani and Gudugudia. There are about 10,000 people living in 61 villages. The villages in the core area are Barhakamuda, Barhaghar, Kabatghai and Bakua. People are being evacuated from these villages and arrangements are being made in the urban areas of the Jashipur block. They are being provided with accommodation, food and allowances from the government. Such arrangements have been made by the government to ensure the fearless coexistence of animals and the protection of natural resources in the core area.

LIFESTYLE 

The people of the Simlipal biosphere collect and sell fruits, honey, jhuna , medicinal cherries, sal  leaves, mahul  flowers, toothpaste sticks, etc. from the forest and earn money. They cultivate food grains,vegetables and domesticates  cows, goats, sheep and chickens.

WEEKLY MARKET

People go to Gudugudia weekly market  to buy and sell various things on Sundays of the week. Where necessary, people go to the Jashipur weekly market on Tuesdays, but they cannot return that day. They  spend that night in Jashipur and returns on the next day.

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

The government has set up primary, secondary, and high schools in the villages. Some schools have hostels that provide free meals, accommodation, and tuition to children. The government has set up a special School for Khadia -Mankadia children at Jashipur where everything is free for them .

WEATHER AND CLIMATE 

The Similipal biosphere does not feel too hot or cold. The biosphere reserve contains dense forests ,So it's hard to see the sun during the day. The temperature in the summer is around 40 degrees Celsius, while in winter the temperature is around 14 degrees Celsius. There is moderate to heavy rain here.

TIGERS IN THE SIMILIPAL BIOSPHERE RESERVE 

It is also known as the Simlipal Tiger Project, as tigers live in the Simlipal Biosphere. Although the government spends Rs 5-6 crore every year to protect the tigers, the number of tigers is declining day by day. It is now estimated that there  are only  about 25-28 tigers. Tourists cannot see them as tigers roam in the core area. Access to the core area is prohibited for tourists.

WATERFALLS 

These are some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Simlipal Biosphere.

1. Olkudur Waterfall

2. San -uski waterfall

3. Bareipani waterfall

4. Jaranda Waterfall 

1. Olkudur Waterfall 

It is located before  the Kaliani Gate for the Shimlipal Entrance. It is a beautiful waterfall and picnic facilities are also available here. No other waterfall in the biosphere has a picnic facility.

2. San - uski waterfall; -

San-Uski waterfall similipal

You can touch the water of this waterfall by hand and bathe here. You have to walk 500 meters to the waterfall, on the way you will see small children holding bows. They only have to attract tourists, you can use their bow and arrow for fun  by paying ten rupees [0.15 USD]. Children will help you if you don't know how to use the bows .

3. Bareipani waterfall

It is the highest waterfall in Similipal [400 meters high] .You will see the water coming down but it will not look like water to you, it will look like a rope to you. You can not find the lower  point where the water is falling as it is so deep .The place is very useful for photography.

4. Jaranda Waterfall

Jaranda waterfall

It is the most beautiful waterfall, on the way to this waterfall you will see many hills. Here the falling water evaporates and makes fog which can be easily seen .You can experience fog around the waterfall .

OTHER ATTRACTIVE PLACES

1. Khairi

2. Ganesh Math

3. Gudugudia

4. The largest sal tree

5. Chahala 

 

1. Khairi; -It is located at Dhobadiha Jashipur .It is the ticketing place for your journey .You can check it out once you get a ticket to enter the biosphere. There is an interesting true story about Khairi  that everyone should know .

On 5 oct 1774, while  some people from the Khadia community were collecting honey from the forest, they saw a tigress   with three cubs on the bank of the Khairi River. After hearing the sound from the people ,the tigress left the place with two cubs and left one . The khadia people rescued the female cub and handed over to the forest officer Mr Soraj Ray Chaudhary.The cub started  growing up in a human  family. The baby was rescued from the banks of the Khairi River and hence named as Khairi. For seven  long years, the cub  stayed with Saroj's family and finally died of Rabies in 1981. In order to keep the bond between humans and animals, between humans and tigers, the Khairi habitat has been established in the area where the tiger lives. Be sure to check it out and read the text on the board.

2. Ganesh Math

If you walk 300 meters past the Simlipal Entry Gate, you will find Ganesha Math . Lord Ganesh  is worshiped here all the time. The  Ganesha idol is huge .

3. Gudugudia

Gudugudia artificial forest

Here you can see man-made  jungles and enjoy  riding elephants here. There is a hotel system for overnight stay. You can buy jhuna, honey, forest products at an affordable price from a shop here. You will see  a  beautiful bamboo house here which is completely made up of bamboo.

4. Largest sal tree [MAHABRUKSHYASALA]

According to folklore, in the past some people tried to cut down this huge sal tree. While cutting , blood-like fluids began to flow from the cutting site. At the same time, a wood cutter  vomited blood and died there, while another died in the evening. One can see the cutting like mark above 22 feet of the tree . The tree is 350 years old and is about 100 feet high. People worship this tree as a god.

4. Chahala

This is the last destination for you. Travel to this place in the evening. Have your camera ready when you are on the road, because at any time deer, sambar or rabbits  may come to your vehicle . When you reach Chahala, you will see a herd of deer. Hundreds of deer come here in the evening because they are fed here by the forest department every day.

You can visit all these places if you plan to come the Simlipal Biosphere Reserve .

THE GRIEFS OF SIMILIPAL 

1. The Simlipal forest was set on fire in 2021, killed many trees and animals and displaced  some of the wildlife. Luckily it rained, the fire was extinguished, and a major catastrophe escaped.

2. Sadly, despite the ban, some people are hunting wildlife and cutting down trees, resulting in a gradual decline in the number of wildlife.

         TRAVELLING PLAN TO SIMILIPAL 

Appropriate time; - Every year from November to June, at other times it is completely closed.

How to get there?

India [Delhi]> Odisha [Bhubaneswar]> Mayurbhanj [Baripada]> Jashipur

Where to stay?

If you are from a distant place or do not know about this place, stay at any lodge in Jashipur on the day of your arrival.You need to book a room for you before one or two days or on the same day of your arrival .Just search ' Lodge near Jashipur ,Odisha ' in google map and find detail of the lodges with contact number and hence book one .

There are also some special lodges for traveling to Simlipal. You can book lodging by clicking here. >>> lodge booking

 

Vehicle selection

 The road in the Shimlipal Biosphere is narrow with many curves , so large vehicles like buses cannot go, bolero vehicles are perfect for this. You can rent a local bolero from Jashipur taxi stand . The local driver has seen all the places so there will be no problem.It will cost you around rs 3000 [40 USD] This should be done on the day of  your arrival. Bring the mobile number of the driver for necessary contact. 

Ticket booking

In the morning of your journey , you will arrive at Khairi Bhavan, Jashipur with your driver, you need to bring your  identity card and  name, address, gender, age of other members of your team. Pay for a vehicle permission , for all members, for a guide. You can also pay for food at the hotel or take the food yourself inside the hotel. You may spend  around rs 2000 [abt 25 USD] here. Per vehicle only 10 members can be permitted .

What to take?

Video cameras, mobile phones, fast food, fruits, water bottles and other essentials.

[There will be no mobile network in the biosphere, so finish  conversation before journey.]

What not to take?

Wine, meat, fish, polythene, gutkha, any narcotics.

Start the journey

Get out in the morning as soon as possible. Write the places above in the diary, give it to the guide and ask him to show you all the places. Write notes on every places you visit  for your future use. Take launch  at Bareipani and visit the rest places.

The trip is over 

After finishing visit, return safely with a beautiful experience and stay at the lodge you have already booked. The next day you leave from here.

                 FAQs ABOUT SIMILIPAL BIOSPHERE RESERVE

1.In which state is Similipal biosphere reserve ?

Ans- Odisha ,Mayurbhanj Dist .

2.How many tigers are there in Similipal ?

Ans-According to the data it is 25-28.

3.Can I see tigers during visit?

Ans-No,as the core area is prohibited for visitors .

4.Why is Similipal famous ?

Ans- India's 7th largest national park, biosphere reserve and tiger reserve . 

5.Can we do picnic inside ?

Ans-No

6.Can I stay inside the biosphere reserve for a night?

Ans-Yes, You can book a room here>>>here

7.Can I go for wildlife photography ?

Ans-Partially yes, as core area is prohibited .You can take photographs outside the core area .

8.Can I visit Similipal at any time throughout the year?

Ans-No,It is open from Nov to June Only .