Simlipal National Park
| Simlipal National Park | |
|---|---|
| Śimḷipāḷ Jātīya Udyāna | |
SimlipalTiger Reserve, Odisha Simlipal National Park (India) | |
Interactive map of Simlipal National Park | |
| Location | Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, India |
| Nearest city | Baripada |
| Coordinates | 21°50′N 86°20′E / 21.833°N 86.333°E |
| Area | 2,750 km2 (1,060 sq mi) |
| Max. elevation | 1,178 m (3,865 ft) |
| Established | 1980 |
| Named for | Simuli tree |
| Governing body | Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India |
| Website | www |
Simlipal National Park (ISO: Śimiḷipāḷa Jātīya Udyāna) is a national park and tiger reserve in the Mayurbhanj district in the Indian state of Odisha covering 2,750 km2 (1,060 sq mi). It is part of the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, which includes three protected areas, Simlipal Tiger Reserve, Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary with 191.06 km2 (73.77 sq mi) and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary with 272.75 km2 (105.31 sq mi). Simlipal National Park derives its name from the abundance of red silk cotton trees growing in the area.
The park is home to Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, gaur, and chausingha. Its tiger population has a notably high occurrence of pseudo-melanism as a result of inbreeding, making it the subject of genetic study and conservation efforts.
This protected area is part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 2009.