Question

Similipal is
A.Sanctuary
B.Biosphere reserve
C.National park
D.All of the above

Answer 1

Hint:Similipal is derived from a word Semul (silk cotton) which blooms in forests. Similipal is a part of Mayurbhanj elephant reserve. It also includes a National park, biosphere reserve , wildlife sanctuary.

Complete answer:
Similipal is a national park, biosphere reserve and wildlife sanctuary.Similipal is situated in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. Similipal tiger reserve is located in the central portion of the Mayurbhanj district. The forest cover of Similipal is spread over an area of 2750 square km and was declared as tiger reserve under Project Tiger Scheme (1972) of govt. of India. The forest composition of simlipal is unique, having a wide variety of species, plants and animals. Similipal is popular for Tigers and elephants. It is home to 75% Tigers and 25% of elephants. Similipal biosphere reserve started during 1994 as per the Man and Biosphere (MAB) program of UNESCO. The Government of Odisha announced a Similipal as a Wildlife sanctuary in 1979 with an area of 2200 square km . In 1980, the govt. proposed 303square km of sanctuary as National park and in 1986 , The area of national park was increased to 845.70 square km and declared as biosphere reserve in 1994.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note:More than 1253 species of flowering plants are present in similipal, 99 species of flowering plants ,21 species of amphibians, 62 species of reptiles,361 species of birds, 55 species of mammals and plenty species of flora and fauna yet to be identified.