The Similipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district that had been closed since the monsoon this year will reopen for tourists on November 1.
like previous year, tourist vehicles coming from Baripada will be allowed to enter into the park premises via the Pithabata check gate while vehicles coming from Jashipur will enter via the Jamuani check gate.
Speaking to mediapersons on Sunday, Similipal National Park Deputy Director Ajit Kumar Satpathy said a maximum of 25 vehicles coming from Baripada and 35 from Jashipur would be allowed to enter into the park between 7 am and 9 am.
“As per rules, there will be a forest guide for each tourist vehicle which will be allowed to stay inside the park till 5pm. We have strictly prohibited picnic inside the park. However, the tourists can bring dry or cooked food in containers except splastic bags,” Satpathy said. For accommodation, the tourists would have night halt facilities at Jamuani, Ramatirtha and Gudugudia, said Satpathy. However, visitors willing to have night halt inside the park would have to book in advance at the forest office at Similipal or through online at www.similipal.org.