Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR)

• A rare melanistic tiger was found dead in the core area of Similipal Tiger Reserve.

About Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR)

• STR is located within the Mayurbhanj District, in the Northernmost part of Odisha.
• It is surrounded by high plateaus and hills, the highest peak being the twin peaks of Khairiburu and Meghashini.
• The terrain is mostly undulating and hilly, interspersed with open grasslands and wooded areas.
• It was declared a ‘Tiger Reserve’ in the year 1956 and included under the national conservation programme ‘Project Tiger’ in 1973.
• The STR, along with a ‘transitional area’ of 2250 sq. km, has been included as a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO in the year 2009.
• It is part of the Similipal-Kuldiha-Hadgarh Elephant Reserve popularly known as Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, which includes 3 protected areas i.e. Similipal Tiger Reserve, Hadagarh Wildlife sanctuary and Kuldiha wildlife sanctuary.
• It is the only landscape in the world that is home to melanistic tigers.
• Tribes including Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Bhatudi, Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia and Sahara live here.
• Vegetation– Similipal has 1,076 flowering species and 96 species of orchids. It boasts of having tropical semi-evergreen forests, tropical moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous hill forests, high level sal forests and sprawling meadows.
  • Sal is the dominant tree species here
• Fauna- Leopard, Gaur, Elephant, Langur, Barking and Spotted Deer, Sloth Bear Mongoose, Flying Squirrel, Porcupine, Turtle, Monitor Lizard, Python, Sambar, Pangolin etc.