Following a protracted hiatus during the monsoon, the Similipal Tiger Reserve in the Mayurbhanj district reopened to tourists on Saturday, signalling the beginning of the new tourism season.

This year, the reserve reopened later than normal because of prolonged rains that caused delays in park preparations and road maintenance.
Capped Entry for Tourists, Updated Times
The updated regulations allow for the daily entry of 60 vehicles into the reserve, of which 35 will enter through the Jashipur gate and 25 will enter through the Pithabata check gate close to Baripada.According to reports, visitors can enter through Pithabata between 8 and 9 am and Jashipur between 5 and 9 am, with an exit requirement of 6 pm.

Heavy vehicles are still not permitted access, and only vehicles with a minimum ground clearance of 180 mm are permitted.
Guide and Undertaking Requirements
In addition to providing a written commitment to abide by all park rules, visitors must provide legitimate identification. All safaris now need the use of a registered guide.

According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, any infraction of the regulations would result in criminal penalties. According to the wildlife wing, the limitations are intended to avoid biological disruption and guarantee safety within the reserve's core and buffer zones.According to authorities, around 1,000 kilometres of internal roads that were harmed by the rain have been fixed in preparation for reopening. Popular ecotourism destinations in the buffer region, including as Jamuani, Barehipani, and Ramtirtha, are now accessible to tourists.
While afternoon safaris will start at 2:00 pm and last for four hours, morning jeep safaris will run from 5:30 am for five hours.

Notably, the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha is the only home of melanistic (black-striped) tigers worldwide and is the fourth-largest tiger reserve in India. As such, it attracts tourists from all over the world.