Similipal RF is the biggest Reserve Forest block of India with an area of 2271.78 km. The forest is a potential habitat both for wild animals and plants with good population of tigers, leopards, elephants, chital, sambar and 304 species of birds. It is equally important for inhabitation of amphibians, aquatic animals and invertebrates considering the importance of its rich biodiversity the area is declared as a proposed wildlife sanctuary on 3rd December 1979 by Govt. of Orissa after settlement of all rights of the people of 61 villages it was finally declared as wildlife sanctuary vide notification no. 8F(WL) 2/2008 dtd. 23.4.08 by Govt. of Orissa in Forest and Environment Department.