A vast and beautiful area protecting India's largest region of sal forest, with magnificient scenery and a variety of wildlife, including tiger, elephant, leopard, sambar, chital, muntjac and chevrotain. The best time is from November to June.

In the centre of Mayurbhanj district of Orissa, is Simlipal- one of the 18 tiger reserves of India. 2,750 sq. kms of lush grassland and Sal forests, this reserved forest was declared a sanctuary in 1979. It has an awesome beauty: the water falls, tribal settlements and mountain peaks add grace to the park.

Flora


The park is a treasure house of 501 species of plants belonging to 102 families. 82 species of orchids have also been identified here. It has a mixed type of vegetation with Northern tropical semi-evergreen trees and Northern tropical moist deciduous trees. Plus, dry deciduous hill forest and high level Sal forests. The grasslands and the savannas provide grazing grounds for the herbivores and hiding place to the carnivores. The forest boasts of innumerable medicinal and aromatic plants, which provide a source of earnings for the tribals.

Fauna


Project Tiger also coverned itself with the care of other animals. After the project was launched, the park saw an increase in population of not only Tigers but Leopards, Sambars, Langurs, Barking and Spotted Deer, Gaur, Elephant and the 'Four-horned' antelope. The protected environment of the park has provided