Similipal national park to remain closed from June 16

Baripada: The Similipal national park and the Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary will remain closed for tourists from June 16 for an indefinite period, said an official on Thursday.

Field director of the Similipal Tiger Reserve, Yajnadutta Pati, said that the date of the reopening would be announced later.

He said the closure is a routine affair every year due to monsoon.

Located in northern Odisha, the Similipal national park is spread over 2750sq-km, famous for its pristine beauty coupled with its varied flora and fauna.

Similipal Tiger Reserve attracts thousands of domestic as well as international tourists with its varied flora and fauna along with breathtaking waterfalls and vast species of wild lives.

Notably, four Melanistic (black pigment) tigers were spotted in the core area of the tiger reserve.