Similipal National Park opens for tourists after 7 months
Baripada (Odisha): The Similipal National Park was thrown open to visitors on Sunday after remaining closed for more than seven months in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said.
Amid strict adherence to the guidelines, 258 tourists entered the picturesque national park in 40 vehicles from two entry points on the first day, said AK Biswal, the assistant conservator of forest of the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR).
While 175 tourists went inside the reserve in 25 vehicles through Pithabata, 83 visitors entered in 15 vehicles through the Kaliani entry point, said Biswal, who along with STR staff greeted the visitors with roses at the entry gates.
"The visitors were enthusiastic. The vehicles, passengers, and their belongings were scanned at the entry and exit points. The footfall is likely to increase," he said.
Long queues of visitors were seen both at Pithabata near Baripada and Kaliani near Jashipur since morning for obtaining permission to enter the reserve.
The permit to enter the park through these two points were issued from 6-9 am. Each vehicle was required to have a tour guide.
All the visitors were asked to wear face masks, use sanitizers and strictly adhere to COVID-19 protocols, including social distance during their visit, Biswal added.
The Similipal National Park, a top tiger reserve in the country, attracts thousands of tourists each year.
The authorities have made additional arrangements for the night stay of the visitors with prior booking at Barehipani, Kumari, Gudugudia, Ramatirtha, and Jamuani inside the sanctuary area.
The visiting day tourists are directed to come out of the Barehipani and Joranda waterfall sights by 3 pm and Chahala by 4 pm. All-day tourists are required to leave the sanctuary area by 5 pm, the official said.
The visitors who intend to stay overnight can make their reservations at www.ecotourodisha.com.
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Delhi girl stabbed multiple times out of danger; police to record statement
New Delhi (PTI): The 17-year-old girl who was stabbed multiple times in full public view at a bus stop in Delhi Cantonment is out of danger now, an official said on Tuesday.
The police will now try to record the statement of the victim, who has been shifted out of the ICU, a senior officer said.
"We recorded her statement (earlier), but she was not conscious for a long time. We are waiting for her to recuperate. Once she is in the condition to talk properly, we will record her detailed statement," the officer said.
The girl was stabbed multiple times with a kitchen knife late Sunday evening by a 20-year-old man, Amit, after she refused his marriage proposal earlier that day.
Police said that they had been friends since last year; however, the girl recently stopped talking to him.
The accused later injured himself with the same knife when the severely injured girl shouted for help, said the sources.
"The accused is still in critical condition and we are yet to record his statement. Once he is out of danger, we will question him," he added.
The matter was reported to police around 9.30 pm on Sunday by a passerby, who also tried to send the girl to a hospital, police said.
The girl had sustained serious injuries to her neck and the left side of her abdomen.
A video of the incident is also circulating online.
A case under section 109(1) of the BNS has been registered against the accused at Delhi Cantt police station.
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