Baripada: Similipal Wildlife Sanctuary, which was closed since June 15 due to poor road conditions, reopened Thursday.
About 13 tour vehicles — five through Kaliani (Joshipur) gate and eight through Pithabata (Lalung) gate — entered the sanctuary Thursday.
The visitors received a warm welcome at the gates from the officials.
The Similipal Wildlife Sanctuary is 14 km away from the National Highway-49 near Joshipur in Mayurbhanj district.
Apart from its pristine beauty coupled with varied flora and fauna, the breathtaking waterfalls of Barehipani, Joranda, Chahala, Uski and Alakud, attract tourists from different parts of the country and abroad.
The Similipal Tiger Reserve, the largest tiger reserve in the country and home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, is all set to invite philotherians from around the world.
The sanctuary has all facilities for stay and other amenities besides the mouth-watering tribal delicacies which are a major attraction.
Visitors can enter the sanctuary through Pithabata (Lalung) and Kaliani (Joshipur) gates. Ticket counters are open from 6 am to 9 am seven days a week.
Not more than 35 four-wheelers are allowed to enter through Kaliani (Joshipur) gate. Similarly, only 25 vehicles are permitted through Pithabata (Lalung) gate every day.
To ensure visitors follow the rules and regulations of the sanctuary, they have to give an undertaking at the gates before entering.
Joranda and Barehipani waterfall visits close by 3 pm while Chahala pulls its shutters down at 4 pm.
In case of a breakdown of vehicles, facilities are also available to shift visitors to Baripada and Joshipur and to avail this facility for which they have to deposit an amount of Rs 4,000 in advance.
“To get most out of the trip, visitors are asked to take a guide with them and this is mandatory, too,” an official said.
There are nine tented accommodation facilities at Kumari, Gudgudia, Ramthirth and Jamuani. If visitors wish to stay at these camps, they have to reserve them in advance at the website www.eccotourodisha.com.
“If any tourist vehicle is found violating the rules and regulations of the sanctuary for a second time, it will never be allowed into the sanctuary again”, he said.
In order to ensure the safety of visitors, they have to arrange their return journey in such a way that they should cross Pithabata, Tulasibani and Kaliani check gates by 5 pm, he said.
PNN
