Simlipal to reopen on Nov 3

Baripada, Oct 26 (UNI) The tourism zone of the Simipal Tiger Reserve (STR) and the National Park will reopen for visitors from November 3.

The STR sources said in the first phase, the visitors will be allowed into the Park through the entry point at Jashipur. This marks the reopening of the park at the end of four and a half months of monsoon closure of the Park.

With the advent of the monsoon this year, the Park was closed for visitors from June 16. The repairs of the road network for entry into the park via Pithabata will be completed by November 15.

The sources said at least 20 four-wheelers will be allowed to enter the Park daily through Pithabata. Besides, at least 40 four-wheelers would be allowed to enter into the Park daily via Jashipur entry point.

The tourists visiting the reserve this year would have the facility to have lunch inside the reserve with the establishment of an ''eatery'' by the villagers of Muktapur in collaboration with the Simlipal Eco-tourism Society.

The eatery will provide tea, snacks and lunch to the tourists visiting the park. This would be of great convenience to the day tourists who enter the park in the wee hours and leave before evening as they need not carry provisions for cooking food during their sojourn.

As the eatery will remain closed during the evening, there will no dinner available for the tourists inside the reserve, the sources added.

UNI XC DP DPM SW AS1540