Mayurbhanj: The Similipal Sanctuary, which gained fame as the second-largest biosphere reserve in Asia owing to its natural beauty, reopened for tourists on Wednesday after remaining closed for one month.
Three villages within the Similipal Sanctuary were closed to tourists from November 26 due to the agitation by the residents to press for their five-point demand. As the issues have been resolved, the Shimilipal Sanctuary has reopened for tourists from Wednesday.
The Similipal Development Council had called for the indefinite closure of the Similipal sanctuary for tourists during the tourist season a month ago. As a result, the Similipal Tiger Conservation Project Authority closed the sanctuary for tourists keeping in view their safety till further notice. The state government has lost lakhs of rupees in revenue due to the Similipal shutdown.
Thousands of people from Astakur, Gudugudia, and Berehipani village panchayats within the Similipal Sanctuary had blocked the main roads of Joranda Chicha and Bareipani Chicha. Several rounds of discussions were held with the Forest department as well as the local public representatives but to no avail.
However, on Tuesday, there was a discussion between the Similipal Development Council and the Similipal Peace Committee at Chahala Street of the Similipal Sanctuary. Jashipur MLA Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Shimilipal Tiger Conservation Project Northern Division Deputy Director Sai Kiran, Jashipur BDO, Tehsildar, Jashipur police station officer, Sarpanch of three gram panchayats and 3,000 residents attended the meeting. Similipal Development Council has withdrawn the movement after learning that the construction and repair work of roads and culverts, etc. has started in many places as per the villagers’ demand.
North Similipal Deputy Director Sai Kiran informed that the discussion was successful and that the sanctuary will be reopened for tourists from Wednesday.
