What the Similipal forest fire is whispering to us
By Sanjib Sarangi, IGS Similipal is a UNESCO-designated and Asia’s second largest biosphere reserve and one of the country’s largest natural heritage sites. The first half of March 2021 saw forest fire sweeping through Similipal. Was it climate change playing out? Did the State forest department’s protocol to tackle this annual phenomenon fall short? Or was there more to it this year? Simlipal Biosphere Reserve Similipal, which derives its name from ‘Simul’ (silk cotton) tree, is a national park and a tiger reserve situated in the northern part of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. Similipal and its adjoining area, covering 5,569 sq km, was declared a biosphere reserve by the Government of India on June 22, 1994. Once a hunting ground for royals and declared a national park in the 80s — it stands out for its ecological diversity. Some 1,078 species of plants, including 94 species of orchids, are found here. The forest is known for its tigers and elephants among 55 species of mamma
