Similipal Tiger Reserve is located within the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha in India.
The Simlipal Tiger Reserve is named after the Semul or red silk cotton trees (Bombax ceiba) that are found abundantly in the region.
In 1956, Similipal was formally designated a tiger reserve.
In 1973, the tiger reserve brought under Project Tiger.
In 1979, Simlipal was declared a wildlife sanctuary.
In 1980, It was upgraded to a national park.
In 1994, Similipal Tiger Reserve area was declared a Biosphere Reserve by the Government of India.
In 2009, Similipal Biosphere Reserve is recognized as a biosphere reserve under the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program.
Area: The total area of Simlipal Tiger Reserve is approximately 2,750 square kilometers (1,060 square miles).
Core: 1194.75 square kilometers
BufferArea: 1555.25 square kilometers
Hills: Simlipal Tiger Reserve is located in the eastern end of the Eastern Ghats mountain range. The highest peaks within the tiger reserve are Khairiburu and Meghashini, which are twin peaks with an elevation of 1,515 meters (4,970 feet).
River: Some of the prominent rivers that flow through the tiger reserve are:
Burhabalanga River
Palpala Bandan River
Salandi River
Kahairi River
Deo River
Waterfalls: Prominent waterfalls within the reserve are:
Joranda Falls
Barehipani Falls
Tribe: Simlipal Tiger Reserve is inhabited by various tribal communities. Some of the prominent tribes found in the region include:
Kolha
Santhal
Bhumija
Bhatudi
Gondas
Khadia
Mankadia
Sahara
Flora: Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest (sal, asan, simal, mahua), Tropical Semievergreen Forest (garjan, haldinia, kusum), Dry Deciduous Hill Forests (sal, asan, amal, and bamboo species), Grassland and Savanna etc.
Simlipal has the world’s highest rate of black tiger sightings in the world. Black tigers were first officially recorded in the forests of Similipal in 1975-76.