Bhubaneswar: On the occasion of International Tiger Day, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Wildlife Susanta Nanda today said that the State Government is all set to start black tiger safari near Simlipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district by this year end.
Establishment of a melanistic tiger safari in the State will be a groundbreaking initiative and first of its kind globally.
Maximum of the visitors coming to Similipal were not able to sight tigers as the possibility was less than 1 percent. So, keeping it in view, the Black Tiger Safari will be started there, he said.
The visitors, who used to return without seeing melanistic tigers, will now enjoy the tiger safari, said Nanda.
The black tiger from Nandankanan zoo will be relocated there and the State has received the necessary approval from National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and expert committee of Central Zoo Authority (CZA).
“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,” the PCCF informed.
This move aims to provide tourists and visitors with a unique opportunity to witness the rare and majestic species found exclusively in Odisha.
Covering an expansive 100-hectare area adjacent to National Highway 18, the chosen site is approximately 10 km away from the Similipal Tiger Reserve, featuring a similar landscape.
The open enclosure will cover about 100 hectares for display purposes, while the remaining area will be utilised for veterinary care facilities, a rescue center, staff infrastructure, and visitor amenities, according to Principal Chief Conservator of Forests.
Notably, Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) stands as the sole habitat for melanistic tigers worldwide.
Out of 30 Royal Bengal Tigers found in Odisha, 27 were located in the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR). In Similipal, 14 (equal number of male and female) are usual morph tigers and 13 (six male and seven females) are pseudo-melanistic tigers.