Baripada, Dec 10: Yesterday morning Similipal witnessed mild snowfall as lowest temperate dipped to six degree Celsius at the famed tiger reserve and national park. While heavy fog and mild snowfall is nothing new there, this year it is said to have arrived earlier than usual. Wild life experts, however, are happy and said it to be a good omen for biodiversity.
It may be mentioned here that the park, which had been temporarily closed from June 16 for the monsoon season, opened for tourists on November 1. A maximum of 35 four-wheeled vehicles from Kaliapani check gate and 25 four-wheelers from Peethabata check gate are allowed inside the park between 6 AM and 9 AM every day. There are two entry points and tourists can book their entry tickets from Jashipur counter. According to the rules of the park, the tourists will have to leave Badheipani and Jaranda by 3 PM and Chahala water fall by 4 PM. Besides, a forest guide for each tourist vehicle is mandatory and they are allowed to stay inside the park till 5 PM. Picnics are strictly prohibited inside the park. However, the tourists are allowed to bring dry or cooked food with them in containers. Plastic bags are banned in the park. For tourists interested in staying inside the park, the Forest department has made arrangements at Jamuani and Kumari.
However, prior booking has to be made in advance at the Forest office at Similipal or online through www.ecotourodisha.com.
