Description

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

The Odisha government notified Similipal Tiger Reserve as a national park making it the 107th national park of India and the second national park in Odisha after Bhitarkanika.

This declaration was pending for 45 years since its initial proposal in 1980.

About Similipal National Park

Feature	Details
Location	Mayurbhanj district
Total Area	845.70 sq km (national park area); part of 2,750 sq km Similipal Tiger Reserve
Ecosystem Type	Tropical moist deciduous, sal forests, semi-evergreen forests
Key Fauna	Royal Bengal Tigers (pseudo-melanistic), Asian elephants, leopards, mugger crocodiles, sambar, deer
Key Flora	104 species of orchids; dominant Sal trees
Bird Species	Over 360 bird species
Unique Feature	World’s only wild population of melanistic (pseudo-melanistic) tigers
UNESCO Status	Part of the Similipal Biosphere Reserve (recognized in 2009)
Tiger Population	40 tigers as per latest count
Elephant Population	Home to 25% of Odisha's elephant population

What is Special about Similipal Tigers?

Due to a genetic mutation Similipal tigers have higher levels of melanin giving them darker coats with thick black stripes and less yellow often called pseudo-melanistic.

Nowhere else in the world do such wild melanistic tigers naturally exist.

Impact of the National Park Declaration

Human activities like grazing, agriculture, and commercial exploitation are completely prohibited in the national park area (not the case in a wildlife sanctuary).

National park status offers the highest degree of legal protection under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Similipal now enjoys multiple conservation labels — Tiger Reserve, Elephant Reserve, Biosphere Reserve and National Park.

Focused efforts to protect the habitat, control poaching, improve surveillance and increase tiger numbers.The declaration aims to uplift the aspirations of tribal communities through eco-tourism, skill development and infrastructure upgrades.

Conservation Measures by Odisha Government

Measure	Details
Greater Similipal Landscape Programme	Securing Similipal and ecological corridors using AI-powered surveillance systems (camera towers, trail guard systems), V-SAT communication, and dedicated security forces.
Tiger Genetic Diversification	Two female tigers brought from Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, to strengthen genetic diversity and aim for 100 tigers by 2036.
Ama Similipal Yojana	Integrated scheme for local livelihood enhancement, eco-tourism, cultural tourism, health, education, and basic infrastructure development.

National Parks of Odisha

Aspect	Similipal National Park	Bhitarkanika National Park
Location	Mayurbhanj District	Kendrapara District
Area	845.70 sq km	145 sq km
Ecosystem Type	Tropical moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests	Mangrove forests and estuarine ecosystem
Key Species	Melanistic tigers, Asian elephants, leopards, orchids	Saltwater crocodiles, Olive Ridley turtles, migratory birds
UNESCO Status	Biosphere Reserve (part of Similipal Biosphere Reserve)	Ramsar Site (Wetland of International Importance)
Key Conservation Focus	Tiger and elephant conservation	Crocodile conservation and mangrove ecosystem protection
Year of National Park Notification	2025 (April 24)	1998
Human Activity Regulation	Strict (no human activity allowed)	Limited human activity allowed in some areas
Distinctive Feature	World’s only wild melanistic tigers	India’s second-largest mangrove ecosystem, breeding ground for saltwater crocodiles

Sources: INDIANEXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Discuss the ecological, genetic, and socio-economic significance of the declaration of Similipal as a National Park. How does it strengthen India's conservation efforts while balancing developmental needs? 250 Words.