Simlipal National Park:- Simlipal National Park is located at the center of Mayurbhanj district in the North-Eastern part of Orissa. It is situated at a distance of 250 km from Kolkata and 320 km from Bhubaneswar. Surrounded by deciduous trees and Sal forests, Simplipal National Park has 12 rivers running across it. Characterized by thick wooden slopes, ridges, luxuriant grassland and beautiful waterfalls; the park is nestled amidst picturesque hills. A wide array of plants as many as 501 species are housed at the park, out of which 82 species are of Orchids. The Park is a viable source for countless medicinal and aromatic plants also.
Simlipal was acknowledged as a tiger reserve in 1972 and a National Park in 1979. One of the 18 tiger reserves of India, it occupies a total area of 2,750 square kms. Simlipal National Park is a safe haven for Leopard, Gaur, Elephant, Langur, Barking and Spotted Deer, Sloth Bear Mongoose, Flying Squirrel, Porcupine, Turtle, Monitor Lizard, Python, Sambar, Pangolin, Crocodile and Four horned Antelope. There are more than 100 tigers at the Simlipal National park. Around 230 species of birds like the Grey Hornbill, Indian Pied Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Indian Trogon, Red Jungle Fowl, Hill Mynah, Peafowl, Alexandrine Parakeet, and Crested Serpent Eagle are found here. The National Park is also home to a large number of reptiles including snakes and turtles. The other attractions of the Simlipal National Park are Mugger crocodiles at Jashipur apart from Barehipani and Joranda waterfalls.
Simlipal has two entry points, one at Lulung, and the other at Joshipur. The nearest railhead is at Baripada, about 50 from Simlipal. From Baripada, regular buses leave for Lulung (a distance of 30 km) and for Joshipur (65 km). Alternatively, taxis may be hired to get to Simlipal. Private cars or taxis can be used to drive around the park. The Best time to visit this park is from November-June.
BhitarKanika National Park:- Located in the Kendrapara district of Orissa, the Bhitar Kanika National Park is one of the few marine parks in India. The flora and fauna of this park has a lot of similarity to the Sunderbans in West Bengal except that there are no tigers here. The park was established to protect the saltwater crocodile and other marine inhabitants of the region. The park has special status of Crocodile Sanctuary and it was notified in 1975. It has also been established as a “Saltwater Crocodile Breeding Center.” Encompassing a sprawling area of 145 sq. kms this has been notified as a National Park in September 1998.
Another most distinct feature of this park is a Mangrove swamp that lies at a fertile delta made by the Brahmani, Baitarni and Dhamara rivers. This mangrove forest spread over 672 sq kms is home to over 215 species of birds including winter migrants from central-Asia and Europe. This number of avifauna also includes eight amazing varieties of kingfishers. Surrounded by the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, the park is bordered by the Gahirmatha Beach in the east. Known as the largest rookery of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles, this beach acts as a dividing line between the Mangroves and the Bay of Bengal.
Apart from its rich marine life, Bhitar Kanika National Park is also home to Wild Pigs, Rhesus Monkeys, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Wild Boar, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Otter, Chital, King Cobra, Indian Python, Water Monitor Lizard and a variety of resident and migratory birds. This park is around 60 kms from the Ratnagiri and Lalithagiri hills of the Assia range. The park is at its best from November to February.
Nandan Kanan National Park:-Established in 1960, Nandan Kanan National Park is located 20 kms from Bhubaneshwar. Sprawling across the tranquil Chandaka forests, Nandankanan literally means the “Garden of Pleasure.” Nandankanan is a Biological Park where animals are kept in their natural habitat.
A centrally located lake divides the Zoo from the Botanical Gardens. Tigers, white tigers, Lions, Clouded Leopards, Black Panthers, European Brown Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Gharials, Rosy Pelican, Grey Pelican, Indian Python, King Cobra, etc. are among the attractions of the zoo, which is famous for its White Tigers. The exotic Botanical Garden on the other side of the zoo preserves varieties of indigenous plants. Regular bus services are available to reach the place.
Offering an array of facilities like boating, white tiger and lion safaris, a nocturnal animal house, reptile park, aerial ropeway and cable car; the park is an ideal destination for people having a penchant for wildlife. The park is home to 67 varieties of mammals, 18 varieties of reptiles and 81 species of birds. Spread over a sprawling area of 4.4 Sq Kms, the park served as the first breeding place for black panthers. Another attraction of the park is a salt water lake coined as ‘Kangia’ that is spread over an area of 50 hectares. The lake attracts a number of migratory birds like Whistling Teal, Cotton Teal, Darter, Purple Moorhen, Herons and Jacana every year. The botanical garden of the park is just across the lake.