In a move aimed at bolstering wildlife conservation and empowering local communities, the government of Odisha has officially declared Similipal, nestled within the Mayurbhanj district, as a National Park. This landmark decision, enacted under the provisions of Section 35(4) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, makes Similipal India's 107th National Park and establishes it as the largest such protected area within the state, encompassing a substantial 845.70 sq km.
The announcement, made by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) of Odisha, is poised to reinforce the ecological heritage of the Similipal region, renowned for its rich biodiversity, including the melanistic or black tiger.