Similipal Tiger Reserve authorities to plant bamboo grass in the National park.

Current Context : Similipal Tiger Reserve authorities have decided to grow bamboo grass in the national park, as part of an initiative to provide sufficient fodder for elephants.

• The initiative will not only prevent the entry of elephants to human settlements but also check the man-animal conflict which is a major challenge for the forest department.

ABOUT SIMILIPAL TIGER RESERVE

• It is a prominent wildlife sanctuary located in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, India.
• Area: Covers approximately 2,750 square kilometers,
• Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1973 and a National Park in 1980.
• Flora: ncluding tropical moist deciduous forests, semi-evergreen forests, and grasslands. Major tree species include sal, teak, and bamboo.
• Fauna: including the Royal Bengal Tiger, Asian elephant, and various species of deer. Other notable species include the leopard, wild boar, and several bird species such as the crested serpent eagle and the hornbill.
• Similipal is part of the Tiger Conservation Program in India, aimed at protecting the endangered Bengal tiger and its habitat.
• Rivers: Budhabalanga, and the Salandi river.
• Waterfalls: Joranda and Duduma Falls