Baripada, Oct 18: The Similipal National Park in Odisha reopened for tourists from today, marking the start of the new tourist season. This year, several changes have been introduced to streamline the entry process and ensure better wildlife conservation.
As per the latest guidelines issued by the forest department, offline entry passes have been discontinued for daytime visitors. Tourists must book their entry passes exclusively through the official website www.shimilipal.org
No spot bookings will be allowed at the entry gates.
To manage the tourist flow, the forest department has capped the number of vehicles allowed inside the park to 60 per day. Of these:
For those planning an overnight stay, prior booking is mandatory through www.ecotourodisha.com
It is now compulsory for every vehicle to be accompanied by a registered guide while entering the core area of the Tiger Reserve. Authorities have warned that any violation of park rules will attract strict legal action.
Tourists opting for wildlife safaris must also pre-book open jeep safari vehicles, operated by the local Eco Development Committee, through the official website.
The safari timings have been fixed as follows:
Forest officials have advised all visitors to ensure advance reservations for both safari and accommodation, as on-the-spot arrangements will not be available this season.
