Baripada: Similipal National Park which was closed for visitors following the onset of South-West Monsoon reopened for the public from Friday.
The sanctuary area was closed for visitors in mid-June due to the onset of monsoon. The sanctuary was reopened after the south-west monsoon withdrew completely from Odisha.
Entry permits to the visitors will be issued at Kaliani and Pithabata entry points, he said adding that maximum of 35 vehicles and 25 vehicles will be allowed for carrying the visitors at Kaliani and Pithabata respectively.
The tourists would have to leave the sanctuary area latest by 5 pm every day. The entry permits will be issued between 6 am to 9 am.
Night stay for tourists has been made at certain places inside the sanctuary like Kumari, Gudugudia, Ramatirtha, Barehipani, and Jamuani which can be booked online at the website www.ecotourodisha.com on payments.
Similipal National Park attracts tourists from across the globe due to the presence of the black tiger.
Prasanta Patnaik