Monsoon to Force Closure of Similipal Tiger Reserve to Tourists

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.