East India

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Originally a hunting ground for the headquarters of Mayurbhanj
the Mayurbhanj royal family, district) or Jashipur (94 km from
Simlipal was designated a Tiger Baripada). Rich in flora, the park
Reserve in 1956 and a biosphere is recorded to have 96 dierent
reserve in 1994. Spread over 2,750 species of orchids! Bird-watching
sq km, the park gets its name trips are organised on demand
from semul or red silk co!on from Gurguria, Jamuani,
trees that bloom abundantly in Jashipur, Pithabata.
these forests.
BELOW: Barehipani Falls, inside the park
Simlipal gained popularity in
the 1970s a"er a 2-month old
abandoned tiger cub, Khairi,
was adopted by a forest ocer in
1974, who raised her in his own
house. She became the mascot
for the Project Tiger movement
in Simlipal and was the greatest
a!raction of the park until she
died in 1981.

The park is criss-crossed by

rivers, prominent among them
being Budhabalanga, Kharkai
and Deo, and has splendid
waterfalls including Barehipani
(400 m) and Joranda (150 m).

Entry to the park is from

Pithabata (22 km from Baripada,

At a glance
District: Mayurbhanj
Nearest Airport: Bhubaneswar
(270 kms) and Kolkata (240 km)
Nearest Railhead: Balasore
(60 km from Baripada)
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Closed: 15 June-31 Oct
Best time to visit: Nov-May
...............................................
Permit: From the Range Officer,
Pithabata check gate or the
Assistant Conservator of Forests
at Jashipur (06797-252240) on
payment of prescribed fees.
...............................................
Entry fee: Rs 40 (Indians);
Rs 1,000 (Foreigners)
Vehicle fee: Rs 100 per day
Camera fee: Charges vary with
kind of cameras
Video fee (per camera/day):
Rs 5,000 (Indians); Rs 20,000
(Foreigners)
....................................................
Major fauna: Tiger, elephant
....................................................
Where to stay: Odisha Tourism
Units at Lulung (3 kms from
Pithabata) and Bangiriposi
(35 kms from Baripada). Private
Hotels are available at Baripada
and Jashipur.
...............................................
Contact: 06792 252 593
Asst. Conservator of Forests,
National Park, Jashipur

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