Baripada: Similipal National Park was today reopened for visitors after remaining closed for around a month.
The Forest Department had restricted the entry of visitors to certain parts of Similipal Tiger Reserve due to protest by locals for fulfilment of their demands. Tourists were restricted from visiting nature camps at Barehipani, Kumari and Gurguria.
Members of Similipal Bikash Parishad outfit were carrying out the protest demanding fulfilment of their various demands including better roads from Kalikaprasad Gate to Gadasimilipal, installation of mobile towers in the tiger reserve, concrete bridge to cross the main road connected to the tiger reserve, roads to all villages inside the tiger reserve, and jobs for unemployed youths of the area.
The agitation had affected the entry of visitors to the nature camps due to road blockade by the protesters.
Following a discussion over the demands at the administrative level, the national park was reopened for tourists today.
