Similipal Now a National Park, CM Calls It a Step Towards Viksit Odisha

AFTER decades of wait, Similipal was accorded national park status following a formal notification by the Odisha government on Thursday.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bhubaneswar

An area of 845.70 sq km spread across 11 ranges of Similipal south and Similipal north divisions was declared as national park, making Similipal the second protected area to be declared a national park after Bhitarkanika in the state. It's also the 107th national park of India.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who made an announcement to this effect on the day, said Similipal is now the 107th national park in the country. It is also the largest national park in Odisha at 845.70 sq km, he said.

Hailing it as a landmark step towards conservation and 'Viksit Bharat and Viksit Odisha's goal, Majhi said, "This long-awaited declaration strengthens our ecological legacy, uplifts tribal aspirations and reaffirms Odisha's commitment to sustainable development."