Odisha is home to 2 national park that showcase the diverse flora and fauna of the region.
1. Simlipal National Park
- Simlipal National Park is located in the Mayurbhanj district of the Indian state of Odisha.
- It is named after the Semul or red silk cotton trees (Bombax ceiba) that are found abundantly in the region.
- It was once a favored hunting ground for the rulers of Marurbhanj.
- In 1956, Simlipal was officially designated as a tiger reserve.
- In 1973, Simlipal was brought under the ambit of Project Tiger.
- In 1979, the Odisha government declared Simlipal as a wildlife sanctuary.
- In 1980, Simlipal was officially established as a national park.
- In 1994, the Government of India declared it a biosphere reserve.
- In 2009, Simlipal National Park was added to the prestigious list of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO.
- Area: This park covers an area of 845.70 square kilometres.
- The park is located in the northern part of Odisha and is encompassed by the Simlipal hills.
- River: Some of the prominent rivers and streams in and around the park include:
- Burhabalanga River
- Kahairi River
- Palpala Bandan River
- Salandi River
- Waterfalls: This park is known for its beautiful waterfalls:
- Barehipani Falls
- Joranda Falls
- Uski Waterfall
- Tribe: This park is surrounded by several indigenous tribes that have been residing in the region for centuries. Some of the prominent indigenous tribes in the vicinity of the park include:
- Erenga Kharias
- Mankirdias
- Flora: Sal, Bamboo, Semul, Mahua, Tendu, Asan, Kusum, Palas, Spear grass, Elephant grass, Orchids and Epiphytes etc.
- Fauna: Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, Leopard, Gaur, Barking Deer, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Four-horned Antelope, Pangolin, Sloth Bear, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Mugger Crocodile (Marsh Crocodile), Tricarinate Hill Turtle, Monitor Lizard etc.
- Black tigers were recorded in the forests of Similipal in 1975-76.
- This park is a part of the Similipal-Kuldiha-Hadgarh Elephant Reserve popularly known as Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve
2. Bhitarkanika National Park
- Bhitarkanika National Park is located in the Kendrapara district of Odisha, India.
- It is situated in the Brahmani-Baitrani estuarial zone, with the Bay of Bengal to the east.
- In 1975, Bhitarkanika was declared a wildlife sanctuary by the Odisha government.
- In 1998, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary was upgraded to the status of a national park.
- In 2002, Bhitarkanika was designated as a Ramsar site.
- Area: The park is spread over an area of 145 km2 (56 sq mi).
- River: Rivers that flows through the park are:
- Brahmani
- Baitarni
- Dhamra
- Pathsala
- Flora: Mangroves, Sal, Haldina, Pisal, Jamun, Salt-Tolerant Plants (Kankra, Hental, Sundri khaoa) etc.
- Bhitarkanika is famous for its mangrove forests, which cover 65% of the park’s area.
- Fauna: Chitals, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Jungle Cats, Wild Boar, Fishing Cat, Leopard Cat, House Shrew, Hyena, Cormorants, Black Ibis, Open-billed Storks, Olive Ridley Sea Turtles, Saltwater Crocodile, Water Monitor Lizards, White Crocodile, Marine Turtle etc.
- The park has one of the largest populations of saltwater crocodiles in India.