- Similipal Tiger Reserve is located within the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha in India.
- The Simlipal Tiger Reserve is named after the Semul or red silk cotton trees (Bombax ceiba) that are found abundantly in the region.
- In 1956, Similipal was formally designated a tiger reserve in 1956.
- In 1973, the tiger reserve brought under Project Tiger.
- In 1979, Simlipal was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1979.
- In 1980, It was upgraded to a national park.
- In 1994, Similipal Tiger Reserve area was declared a Biosphere Reserve by the Government of India.
- In 2009, Similipal Biosphere Reserve is recognized as a biosphere reserve under the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program.
- Area: The total area of Simlipal Tiger Reserve is approximately 2,750 square kilometers (1,060 square miles).
- Core: 1194.75 square kilometers
- BufferArea: 1555.25 square kilometers
- Hills: Simlipal Tiger Reserve is located in the eastern end of the Eastern Ghats mountain range. The highest peaks within the tiger reserve are Khairiburu and Meghashini, which are twin peaks with an elevation of 1,515 meters (4,970 feet).
- River: Some of the prominent rivers that flow through the tiger reserve are:
- Burhabalanga River
- Palpala Bandan River
- Salandi River
- Kahairi River
- Deo River
- Waterfalls: Prominent waterfalls within the reserve are:
- Joranda Falls
- Barehipani Falls
- Tribe: Simlipal Tiger Reserve is inhabited by various tribal communities. Some of the prominent tribes found in the region include:
- Kolha
- Santhal
- Bhumija
- Bhatudi
- Gondas
- Khadia
- Mankadia
- Sahara
- Flora: Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest (sal, asan, simal, mahua), Tropical Semievergreen Forest (garjan, haldinia, kusum), Dry Deciduous Hill Forests (sal, asan, amal, and bamboo species), Grassland and Savanna etc.
- Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Leopard Cat, Hyaena, Elephants, Indian Bison, Sambar, Chital, Giant Squirrel, Jungle Fowl, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Mugger Crocodile etc.
- Simlipal has the world’s highest rate of black tiger sightings in the world. Black tigers were first officially recorded in the forests of Similipal in 1975-76.