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Similipal in Odisha Recently Declared as India’s 107th National Park.

National | Dated: 27 Apr 2025

In April 2025, Mohan Charan Manjhi, Chief Minister (CM) of Odisha, officially declared the Similipal Tiger Reserve (TR), located in Mayurbhanj district, as a National Park (NP). Now, Similipal TR has become India's 107th National Park (NP) and Odisha’s 2nd protected area to be declared a National Park after Bhitarkanika (declared as NP in 1998).

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - This newly declared National Park is now the largest NP in Odisha, covering an area of 845.70 square kilometers (sq. km).
  • - The Forest, Environment and Climate Change (FE&CC) Department of Odisha issued a notification exercising powers under Section 35(4) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
  • - Similipal is divided into two divisions: the Similipal South Wildlife Division, which comprises seven ranges including Pithabata North, Nawana South, Jenabil, among others, and the Similipal North Wildlife Division, which includes four ranges such as Barrehipani, Chahala, Nawan North, and Talabandh wildlife ranges. The name ‘Similipal’ is derived from the ‘Simul’ (Silk Cotton) tree, which is abundantly found in the region.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) Similipal hosts rich biodiversity, with more than 360 species of birds, 55 species of mammals including leopards and sambar, 62 species of reptiles, and 21 species of amphibians. It is notably home to around 40 wild tigers, including the world's only population of wild melanistic (black) tigers, and serves as a natural habitat for 25% of Odisha’s elephant population.
  • (ii) The Similipal landscape spreads over 2,750 square kilometers, with approximately 2,306 square kilometers forming the Similipal Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS). This vast and ecologically significant area plays a crucial role in wildlife conservation and habitat protection within the state.
  • (iii) In 2007, the Odisha government notified 1,194.75 square kilometers of the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) as the core critical tiger habitat. Furthermore, since 2009, Similipal has been recognized as part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), highlighting its global ecological significance.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Recently, Similipal Tiger Reserve, which has been declared India’s 107th National Park, is located in which Indian state?

Correct Answer: Odisha

🚀 Quick Recap:

About Odisha

  • Chief Minister (CM): Mohan Charan Manjhi
  • Governor : Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati