🔆 Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR): A Biodiversity Haven in Odisha 📍 Location and Terrain ✅ Similipal Tiger Reserve is located in the Mayurbhanj District in northern Odisha, featuring hilly, undulating terrain with open grasslands and dense forests. ✅ The twin peaks, Khairiburu and Meghashini, rise to an altitude of 1,515 meters above sea level. 📍 Tribal Communities ✅ The reserve is inhabited by several tribal communities, including the Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia, and Sahara. 📍 History and Recognition ✅ Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1956, Similipal was brought under Project Tiger in 1973. ✅ Recognized as part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2009. 📍 Flora and Fauna ✅ Flora: ✅ Home to 1,078 species of plants, including 94 species of orchids. ✅ The Sal tree (Shorea robusta) is the dominant species. ✅ Fauna: ✅ The reserve supports rich wildlife, including Leopards, Elephants, Gaurs, Langurs, Barking Deer, Sloth Bears, Sambar, Pythons, Pangolins, and Flying Squirrels. ✅ It also hosts diverse birdlife, with migratory species such as Bar-Headed Geese and Brahmini Ducks. ✅ Freshwater snails (Radix genus) are found in its water bodies. 📍 Melanistic Tigers of Similipal ✅ Similipal is the only place in the world where pseudo-melanistic tigers can be found in the wild. ✅ 27 of Odisha’s 30 tigers (AOTE-2023-24) live in Similipal, including 13 pseudo-melanistic tigers. ✅ The unique black-striped pattern of these tigers is caused by a mutation in the Taqpep gene.