File picture of the Similipal Wildlife Sanctuary

Baripada, Oct. 7: Authorities of the Similipal Wildlife Sanctuary have geared up to repair the damaged roads before re-opening the forest for tourists in November.

Repair of roads, mainly the approach roads used by the tourists, will take a month. The sanctuary remains closed for tourists due to the monsoon, which is the breeding season for most of the wild animals. This year, it was closed from the beginning of July.

Ajit Satpatthy, deputy director of the Similipal Tiger Reserve, said: “In 2014, Similipal faced heavy rainfall. Hence, the roads and the bridges got damaged. Those will be repaired before the tourists are allowed in.”

Around Rs 90 lakh will be required for repair of the roads and the damaged bridges. “This year, we are replacing some bamboo bridges with bailey bridges made of iron,” Satpatthy said.

The length of approach roads is about 180km, while the total length of roads inside the sanctuary is nearly 550km, said the tiger reserve sources.

The tourists can enter through two authorised gates — Pithabata and Gudgudia. The authorities allow 60 vehicles every day through each gate. The tiger reserve authorities have decided not to allow any private vehicles inside the sanctuary.

Regional chief conservator of forests Anup Nayak said: “Private vehicles cause problems for us. So we have decided to replace the system within next two years. We are holding talks with the tour and travel agents, who will supply vehicles to us. These vehicles will be of uniform colour and design suited for the forest. We will guide the tourists on our vehicles with experts.”

Earlier, tourists would get food and accommodation in Jamuani only.

From the current season, the sanctuary authorities plan to supply the facilities at Gudgudia as well.