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CITY INFORMATION
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 Similipal |
Similipal is situated the biotic province, Chhotanagpur Plateau in the heart of the erstwhile Mayurbhanj State and derives its name from the magnificent and enchanting Simul (Silk Cotton Tree). The hill range has been aptly described as "Salmali Saila (the hill of Simul)" in the poem 'Usha' written by the famous Oriya poet Laureate Radhanath Ray.
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The hills with numerous peaks and valleys in between, rise steeply from the plains of Udala in the south and Baripada in the south-east and extend up to Jashipur in the north-west, Bisnoi in the north and Thakurmunda to the west. There are several streams flowing in all directions and ultimately draining into the Bay of Bengal. Major perennial streams are the Budhabalanga, Palpala, East Deo, Nekedanacha (Salandi), West Deo, Khairi, Bhandan and Khadkei.
The riparian zones, perennial streams and meadows form key areas. The Bhadragoda valley, Tarinvilla area, Patbil and numerous small swamps and marshes form the riparian zone. Prominent meadows are Devasthali, Bachhurichara, Sapaghar, Matughar, Tarinivilla, Tiktali, Chahala and upper Barakamuda.
Similipal is Representative ecosystem under Mahanadian Biogeographic Region. Floral and faunal composition have some similarities with elements from Western Ghats and Northeast India.
Conservation History |
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Similipal Tiger Reserve was created in 1973. "Mugger Crocodile Scheme" was started in 1979 at Ramatirtha, Jashipur under the National Programme of 'Crocodile Breeding and Management Project".
The Government of Orissa declared Similipal Sanctuary with an area of about 2200 sq. km. in 1979. Government of Orissa proposed 303 sq. km. area of the Similipal Sanctuary as National Park in 1980. The area of the proposed National Park was increased to 845 sq. km. in 1986.
Government of India in 1994 declared the creation of Similipal Biosphere Reserve. In 1995, for the purpose of implementation of the Eco-development Scheme in the periphery of Similipal Tiger Reserve, two forest divisions, namely Baripada and Karanjia were transferred from Angual Forest Circle to the Reserve. |
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Census
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Archeology
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Within Similipal no feature can be claimed as of archeological significance, although names like Ganapati, Devasthali, Nawana, Garh Similipal etc., indicate the historical significance of the places. The Kichkeswari temple outside Similipal is linked to archaeological richness of the district.
Forest Types |
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Northern Tropical Semi evergreen Forests ,Northern Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests ,Dry Deciduous Hill Forests ,High level Sal Forest ,Grassland and Savannah . |
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Major Flora
There are 1076 species of plants of which 92 are orchids having similarities to the Northern and Southern Indian orchids. Seven percent of the Indian species of flowering plants and eight percent of orchids of India are found in Similipal. Northern Tropical Semi evergreen Forests extend over an area of about 80 km. Northern Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests extend over an area of about 1540 sq. km. It is found all over Similipal except the moist valleys on the Southern and Eastern aspects of the hills. Similipal is rich in Orchidaceous flora 92 species of orchids has been identified.
Main Species |
Shorea robusta, Terminalia sp., Pterocarpus marsupium, Anogeissus latifolia, Scheleichera oleosa, Adina cordifolia, Toona ciliata (rare), Michelia champaca, Mangifera indica, Bombax ceiba, Careya arborea, Dillenia pentagyna, Gmelina arborea, Garuga pinnata, almnea coromandelica, Syzygium cumini, Sterculia urens, Boswellia serrata, Dalbergia latifolia, Cleistanthus collinus, Gardenia gummifera, G. latifolia, G. turgide, Erythrina suberosa, Cochlospermum gossypium, Helicteres isora, Nyctanthes arbotristis. Orchids commonly seen belong to the genera Acampe, Bulbophylum, Cymbidium, Liapris and Vanda. Common grasses are Imperata cylidrica, Themeda gigiantia and Saccharum spontaneum |
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