Why in News? 

The Odisha government has recently declared Similipal Tiger Reserve as the state's second national park, following Bhitarkanika, making it the 107th national park in India.  

About Similipal Forest 

• Location: Situated in Mayurbhanj District of Odisha within the Chhotanagpur region. 
• Major Rivers: Burhabalang, Palpala Bandan, Salandi, Kahairi and Deo flow through this forest. 
• Multiple Protections 
  • Similipal holds the status of a Wildlife Sanctuary and a Tiger Reserve (under Project Tiger). 
  • It is recognized as a Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme since 2009. 
  • It also forms a part of the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve. 

What is a National Park? 

Definition: A National Park is a protected area, either within or outside a sanctuary, offering the highest level of protection to conserve wildlife and the environment based on their ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, or zoological significance. 

• Regulations 
  • No human activities are allowed inside National Parks, except activities permitted by the Chief Wildlife Warden of the respective state. 
  • Under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, certain tribal groups are allowed to reside within National Parks. 

Notification Process 

• Authority: State Governments declare National Parks under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. 
• Boundary Alteration: Once notified, the boundaries cannot be altered unless approved by the National Board for Wildlife.