Odisha’s newest and largest national park is also its biggest tiger reserve; know unique details

In a recent notification, the Odisha government granted national park status to Similipal, officially recognising it as the state’s newest and largest national park, spanning 845.70 square kilometres in Mayurbhanj district.

The designation, finalised after a 60-day statutory process, elevates Similipal, already the state’s biggest tiger reserve, to become its second national park after Bhitarkanika.

Key Features and Significance

Similipal National Park, the 107th in the country, forms the core of the 2,750-square-kilometre Similipal Tiger Reserve, established in 1973 under Project Tiger.

Recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1994, it hosts 55 mammal species, including Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, and the world’s only documented wild melanistic (black) tigers.

The park also shelters 361 bird species, 62 reptiles, and 21 amphibians, alongside over 1,000 plant species, including endemic orchids and the red silk cotton (Simuli) tree it’s named after.

The Crown Jewel: Melanistic Tigers

Similipal is globally unique for its black tigers, a rare genetic variant of Bengal tigers caused by a recessive gene. These melanistic tigers, with thick black stripes merging into dark coats, are found nowhere else in the wild.

Scientists attribute their prevalence in Similipal to genetic isolation and the reserve’s dense forests, which offer ideal camouflage. Only 10-12 melanistic tigers are estimated to exist here, making them a critical focus of conservation efforts.

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Biodiversity Beyond Tigers

The park’s 2,750 sq km tiger reserve shelters:

55 mammal species, including Asian elephants, leopards, gaurs (Indian bison), and chausinghas (the world’s only four-horned antelope).

361 bird species, such as the rare grey hornbill and crested serpent eagle.

62 reptiles, including king cobras and mugger crocodiles, and 21 amphibians.

Natural Wonders and Tribal Heritage

Similipal’s landscapes are as dramatic as its wildlife, consisting of Barehipani Falls (217 meters) and Joranda Falls (181 meters), among India’s tallest waterfalls, along with peaks like Meghasani (1,158 meters) and Khairiburu (1,178 meters).

Further, the park is also a cultural hub, home to indigenous tribes like the Birhor, Santhal, and Mankidia, who practice sustainable living and preserve ancient ecological knowledge.

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Conservation Challenges and Solutions

Declaring Similipal a national park required creating an ‘inviolate’ zone free of human activity. While most villages, like Jenabil and Jamunagada, were relocated over decades, Bakua village, home to 61 families, was excluded from the final 845.70-square-kilometre park area.

The region’s dense forests also feed critical rivers like Budhabalanga and Salandi, sustaining agriculture and drinking water supplies.

In the near future, Odisha aims to boost Similipal’s tiger population to 100 by 2036, introducing genetic diversity with tigers from other reserves. Advanced conservation measures include AI-powered surveillance and eco-tourism initiatives to balance preservation and community livelihoods.