Baripada, April 25: There are currently 40 tigers in Similipal, including 6 tiger cubs. This has been confirmed through camera trap data for the current year, said Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Prem Kumar Jha.
Additionally, among the adult tigers in Similipal, there are 13 male tigers and 17 female tigers, excluding two unidentified individuals that could either be male or female. Out of the total tigers in the area, 18 are black tigers.
The Forest Department aims to increase this number to 100 tigers in the next 10 years.
“Recently the tigers' numbers have increased in Simlipal. We have melanistic tigers, which are nonexistent anywhere else in the world. They will definitely attract more tourists to Simlipal. Now we are considering how to involve locals in managing Simlipal so they can benefit economically from it... We are trying to generate more employment... We have already started open safari vehicles in Simlipal and we are waiting for the feedback”, said Similipal Tiger Reserve Deputy Director, Dr Samrat Gowda.
Worth mentioning, Similipal has officially been granted the status of a National Park on April 24, marking a significant milestone in the conservation history of Odisha. The state government has notified Similipal as a National Park.
