Photo: X (@susantananda3)
Melanistic tiger safari at Similipal
The work for the proposed melanistic tiger safari near Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Mayurbhanj is going on in full swing. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Wildlife Susanta Nanda on Monday informed that melanistic tiger safari will come up on 100 acres of land.
“The visitors coming to Similipal were not able to sight tigers and the possibility was less than 1 percent. However, sighting has now improved. The 99 percent visitors, who used to returning without seeing melasntic tigers, the tiger safari will be helpful,” said Nanda.
Nanda informed that NTC and expert committee of Central Zoo Authority (CZA) have given their nod. “We are waiting for the CZA’s technical committee nod. Necessary works are going on parallelly and we hope that tiger safari will be opened for the visitors by year end,” Nanda added.
Taking to his official X handle, Nanda wrote that Tigers are roaring back in Simlipal Tiger Reserve- the one and the only place in the world to host the famed wild melanistic tigers.
Also Read | Similipal Tiger Reserve to remain closed for visitors till Sept 30; ecotourism complex open
“It was widely believed that in 2013 March, one tiger from Satkosia came to Nandankanan Zoo on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar in search of a mate. Named Nandan, it led a healthy life till a few months back. But genetic study now has proved that it was from central Indian landscape,” tweeted Nanda.
