Similipal reopened for tourists

Baripada: The Similipal National Park has been opened for tourists after a gap of around four and half months.
However, keeping the recent Maoist attacks in the district the Park authorities have asked the tourists not to make night halts.
Normally, with the advent of the rainy season, the reserve forest remains closed for the visitors from 15 June to 31 October every year.
The forest also remains closed in view of the akhand shikar, the mass hunting ritual of the tribals in April to July.
We have opened the forest for visitors and at the same time, asked them not to make night halts. The restriction and regulation has been imposed for their safety. We are trying our best to repair the buildings which were damaged in the Maoist attack, said field director and conservator of STR Harisankar Upadhayay.
Adequate police force has been deployed at the entry points and core areas too.
As per the official statistics, in 2005-06 about 14,064 domestic and 189 foreign tourists visited the forest.
In next two years, about 13,256 domestic and 240 foreign tourists, and 14,041 national and 141 foreign tourists visited the forest respectively.
While it was earlier expected that the foot fall will cross the 25,000 mark this time, it may not be achieved, some officials expressed concern.
Maoist presence has now been felt in core area villages like Mahuldiha, Barhakamuda, Sarashkana, Gorumohisiani, Jasipur, Thakurmunda, Kendumundi, Jhuduruchampa, Upparbarahakamuda, said sources.
The Maoists had blown up guest houses, destroyed forest range offices along with wireless control rooms and had taken away two solar lights and solar plant inside the Gudugudia forest range and Joranda forest range under Simlipal Biosphere Reserve. While the red rebels allegedly manhandled the tourists and the officials, they also blew up a wooden bridge near the Gudgudia guest house to stop the quick communication of the forest personnel and forest guards.