Similipal sanctuary in Odisha closed to visitors

Similipal National Park and sanctuary in Odisha has been closed for entry of tourists from today following the onset of monsoon.
The entry of visitors is prohibited from mid June till the end of October every year during the rainy season as road connectivity to various locations inside the famous sanctuary gets disrupted, said a senior official of Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR).
Considered as a hot tourist destination of North Odisha, the sanctuary will reopen from the first week of November, he said.
Located in the northern part of Odisha adjoining Jharkhand, the sanctuary is considered as a natural heritage with a varied flora and fauna and wildlife.

The national park came to limelight when a black rare melanistic tiger (royal bengal tiger) was sighted through pictures taken by cameras installed to track the big cats inside the core area of the sanctuary.
More than 10,000 visitors from across the country and abroad undertake visits to have a glimpse of the picturesque nature, waterfalls, orchids, birds, carnivorous and herbivorous animals along with reptiles.