Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj will temporarily restrict tourist access starting tomorrow, July 1, because of the monsoon season. While the main park area will be closed, eco-tourism sites such as Jamuani, Gudagudia, Kumari, Barehipani, and Ramatritha will remain open. The exact date of reopening will be announced subsequently. The closure is a result of anticipated road closures and difficult conditions within the sanctuary due to heavy rainfall. The 2,750-square-kilometer reserve houses a diverse ecosystem, including 42 mammal species, 242 bird varieties, and 30 reptile categories, along with abundant plant life and 96 orchid varieties. Tourism figures for 2024-2025 show that 38,483 tourists visited the park. The state government announced in April of this year that the STR has been designated as a National Park.
