Mayurbhanj: The department has issued a formal notification to open the National Park Similipal Sanctuary from November 1 for tourist travel and overnight stay. Advance booking through Baripada Pithabata entry gate or 25 vehicles that reached first and 35 vehicles from the Jashipur Kaliyani entry gate will be allowed to enter the tiger reserve project between 6 am and 9 am.

Tourist vehicles, tourists, and all their belongings will be checked at the entry and exit gates. All tourists will leave Joranda and Barehipani Falls before 3 pm and from Chahala Place before 4 pm. If the vehicle malfunctions for any reason, the department will shift the tourists in the vehicle after depositing Rs 4,000 in advance to reach Baripada or Yashipur bus stands.

Arrangements have been made to provide advance reservation to the tourists on the website ‘ecotourodisha.com’ to spend the night in Kumari, Gudgudia, Ramteertha, Barehipani and Jamuani. From this year onwards, tourists will be able to take permission for themselves and vehicles through the website similipal.org or at the entry point as before. The website will be launched by the PCCF on Friday, informed T. Ashok Kumar, field director and regional chief conservator of forests, Similipal Tiger Reserve Project.

As cars and small vehicles are not allowed to enter the sanctuary, tourists can already book through this website to book vehicles registered by the department. Like previous years, it is mandatory to carry a guide with the vehicle to enter the sanctuary. While the entry gate is scheduled to open from November 1 to visit Devkund, permission can be obtained from the divisional office in front of the main gate from 7 am to 2 pm, the notification said.