Shymilipal Tiger Project Café Inaugurated at Pithabata Entrance Gate

On the occasion of the State-level Wildlife Week 2026 celebrations, the Café at the Pithabata Entrance Gate of the Similipal Tiger Project was inaugurated online today by Odisha Government’s Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Shri Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia. The Hon’ble MLA of Bangriposi, Ms. Sanjali Murmu, was present at the venue and interacted with members of the Eco-Development Committee (EDC). She expressed happiness that the initiative would meet the needs of tourists visiting Similipal and its surrounding areas while creating livelihood opportunities for tribal communities living in villages along the Similipal landscape. She also appealed to the general public to avail themselves of the café’s services, thereby supporting communities dependent on forests. The café is an initiative of the Similipal Tiger Project, aimed at providing livelihood opportunities to forest-dependent communities residing in villages along the Similipal landscape and showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage to tourists. Located at the Pithabata entrance gate of the Tiger Project, the café will be operated by members of the Baba Bureswar Eco-Development Committee of Gobindachandrapur village, situated at the foothills of Similipal. It will cater to tourists visiting Similipal National Park and nearby tourist destinations such as Sitakund, Lulung and Balidiha Dam. The café will serve traditional food of Mayurbhanj district, along with a variety of snacks and beverages. It will remain open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The café is registered with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under Registration No. 22026019000111. In addition to food services, the café will have a small library containing reading materials related to Similipal and wildlife, allowing visitors to enjoy reading amidst the natural surroundings. It will also function as a souvenir shop, offering specially designed Similipal-themed products as well as products prepared by tribal communities from villages along the Similipal landscape under the Similipal Yojana. Space will also be available for small events and meetings. For managing the café, five women members of the EDC have received specialised training in culinary skills and hospitality management. They participated in a capacity-building training programme for service providers organised by the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), Bhubaneswar, and the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition (IHM), Bhubaneswar. More members will be provided training in the future as required. Deputy Director Similipal South Wildlife Division