Similipal NP
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Overview
Similipal is a national park and tiger reserve in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, part of the Similipal Biosphere Reserve in UNESCO's network.
It was one of the first nine Project Tiger reserves in 1973. Its sal forests and grasslands are known for melanistic (pseudo-melanistic) tigers, found nowhere else in the wild.
Waterfalls such as Barehipani and Joranda drop from its plateau, and many tribal communities live in the area.
Geography and key facts
- Mayurbhanj district, Odisha
- One of the first nine Project Tiger reserves
- Melanistic tigers
- Barehipani and Joranda falls
Why it matters for UPSC
Biosphere reserves in the UNESCO network and black tigers of Similipal are frequent questions.
Note for UPSC
Odisha; part of a biosphere reserve, known for melanistic tigers.
Prelims often asks park–state pairs, the rivers flowing through a park and its flagship species.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Similipal NP yet.
Key facts
- Type
- National park / tiger reserve
- State / UT
- Odisha
- Coordinates
- 21.750°N, 86.330°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Climate, Soils and Natural Vegetation (map lesson)
- Natural Vegetation and Biogeography of India (map lesson)
- Ecology, Biodiversity and Protected Areas (map lesson)
- Wildlife Conservation: Protected Areas, Laws and Species Projects (map lesson)
- Biodiversity: Levels, Hotspots, Threats and Global Frameworks (map lesson)
More national parks and tiger reserves nearby
Other places in Odisha
All national parks and tiger reserves · Revision list · Most asked in PYQs