Similipal, the state’s biggest tiger reserve, has 55 species of mammals, 361 species of birds, 62 species of reptiles and 21 species of amphibians. It is spread over 2,750 square km, including around 2,306 sq km that forms Similipal wildife sanctuary. The state had notified 1,194.75 sq km of STR as the core critical tiger habitat in 2007.However, acting on the criteria of the Centre, that an area to be accorded national park status must be completely inviolate and free from human habitation and movement of domestic animals, the forest department notified an area of 845.70 sq km, mostly in Similipal south division, as the national park.The core of Similipal that consisted of six villages – Jamunagada, Kabatghai, Bakua, Barahkamuda and Bahaghar – posed a bigger challenge for national park notification for decades. Though the government succeeded in shifting Jenabil, Kabatghai Barahakamuda, Bahaghar and Jamunagada villages, around 61 families continued to inhabit Bakua. Keeping this in view, Bakua has been kept out of the national park area of 845 sq km, sources said.The notification issued by the department came after the statutory 60-day proclamation period issued by the Mayurbhanj district administration was complied with last year.Deputy director of STR south Samrat Gowda said national park status is a major recognition for Similipal. “Apart from empowering us to strongly enforce laws, it will also help seek more funds for strengthening protection measures in the tiger habitat,” he said.Till now, Bhitarkanika held the status of being the lone national park in the state. Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1975, the mangrove ecosystem had been designated as a national park in 1998.
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