Incessant rains prompt closure of Similipal reserve

BHUBANESWAR: Three days after the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) reopened for the tourists on Tuesday, incessant rain triggered by depression has forced the authorities to close the reserve for an indefinite period. The officials will notify its reopening afresh. Around 133 km of internal road was repaired before start of the eco-tourism facilities there. The roads inside the reserve are constructed by spreading muroom (red soil) to make it fit during winter for light vehicles to enter and move inside the reserve.
“Some portion of roads has been washed away as they were recently repaired while many roads have become slippery due to rain.In this condition it is not wise to entertain tourist vehicles as they may skid off the road,” said STR deputy director Ajit Satapathy.
Those who have already booked for night stay on Friday, will be allowed to come through Jashipur entry considering that this route has comparatively good road. In 2013, STR opened for tourists in mid-November, around two weeks later than its normal opening time because cyclone phailin caused large-scale devastation there.
According to this year’s guidelines, the tourists are allowed to enter the reserve from Pithabata and Kaliani and exit through Pithabata, Kaliani and Tulasibani. Some portion of both entry and exit routes have been damaged in rain, official sources said.
Every year, around 40,000 tourists visit the reserve to enjoy the natural beauty, flora and fauna of it. This time, the authorities have made stricter rules for the tourists. A tourist, who has booked for a day to move inside the reserve, will have to ensure that he returns through the specified exit routes before 5 pm. The tourists can enter the reserve anytime between 6 am and 9 am and they can stay till 5 pm inside it.
In case the tourist fail to return before 5 pm, he will have to deposit Rs 3,000 to the forest officer concerned so that a separate vehicle will ferry the tourist up to the bus stand at Baripada. “We will decide its reopening after the depression weakens and rain stops. We might take a week or two to again ensure that the roads are good to allow vehicle on them. It also depends on sunny days. If cloudy atmosphere remains, the rods will be dried easily forcing us to defer the reopening for more days,” said a STR officer.