Current Context: The Government of Odisha has officially notified the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) as a National Park, making it India’s 107th National Park and the second in Odisha after Bhitarkanika.

About

• Location: Mayurbhanj district, Odisha
• Declared: As a National Park in 2025 (proposed since 1980)
• Unique Feature:Only known home to wild melanistic (pseudo-melanistic) tigers, a variant of Bengal tigers with high melanin levels leading to dark coats with narrow yellow stripes.

Biodiversity Highlights:

• Royal Bengal Tigers: ~40 individuals
• Elephants: Home to 25% of Odisha’s elephant population
• Birds: Over 360 species
• Flora: 104 orchid species, several endemic
• Other Fauna: Leopards, sambar, mugger crocodiles
• Forest Type: Predominantly sal forests, with patches of moist deciduous and semi-evergreen types