About Similipal Tiger Reserve:
- Location: It is situated in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.
- The park is named after the Simul (silk cotton) tree, which grows in abundance here.
- It is situated in the Deccan Peninsular Bio-geographic Zone, it harbours a unique blend of Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and eastern Himalayan biodiversity.
- It has some beautiful waterfalls like Joranda and Barehipani.
- Terrain: It is surrounded by high plateaus and hills, the highest peak being the twin peaks of Khairiburu and Meghashini (1515 m above mean sea level).
- Tribes: It is also home to various tribes, including Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Bhatudi, Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia, and Sahara.
- Vegetation: The forest is predominantly moist mixed deciduous forest with tropical semi-evergreen forest in areas with suitable microclimatic conditions and sporadic patches of dry deciduous forests and grasslands.
- Flora: Sal is the dominant tree species here.
- It houses 7% of the flowering plants and 8% of India’s orchids. The park also has extensive grasslands that are grazing grounds for many of the herbivores.
- Fauna: It is known for the tiger, elephant, and hill mynah, leopard, sambar etc.
