Shimilipal’s Black Tiger Draws Global Attention — Why Are Tourists Returning Disappointed?

When the photograph of Shimilipal’s rare Melanistic Tiger (Black Tiger) graced the cover of a world-renowned magazine like National Geographic, it was not just a triumph for Odia photographers, but a moment of immense pride for every citizen of Odisha. It was truly an unforgettable milestone.

Shimilipal is the only place on the Earth where these genetically unique tigers are found in the wild. Following this international exposure, the eyes of wildlife enthusiasts and scientists globally turned toward our state.

For years, Odisha’s wildlife photographers have spent countless patient hours in the forest, often failing repeatedly just to catch a glimpse of these elusive cats; this international recognition appeared as a beacon of hope for them.

Rising Expectations Among Tourists

While excitement among tourists has surged and awareness regarding tiger conservation has grown at both governmental and public levels, a critical question remains:

Are the tourists arriving with such high hopes actually receiving a quality experience, or are they falling victim to a weak management system?

A Personal Journey to See the Black Tiger

Following the news, a prominent international wildlife photographer friend based in Bengaluru—the first Odia to have documented the highest number of species, including the Snow Leopard, across India's sanctuaries—repeatedly called me, eager to see our black tigers.

Without delay, I booked three nights at the Gudugudia Eco-Cottage and reserved a private jeep for five safaris from November 10 to 13, 2025, a month in advance.

Along with another doctor friend, we drove 265 km from Bhubaneswar to the Gudugudia Nature Camp. We braved the biting cold of 5:00 AM for all five safaris, hoping that multiple attempts would yield at least one sighting or a sign of a tiger.

A Disappointing Experience

Despite our dedication, the experience was deeply disappointing.

Not only did we fail to see a tiger, but we did not find a single sign of their presence—no pugmarks, no scat, and no scratch marks on trees.

We learned that we weren't alone. A couple from Mexico had booked 18 safaris specifically to see the Shimilipal tigers and left without a single sighting.

It is worth noting that the photographer featured in National Geographic achieved that shot only after a 120-day stay under the supervision of the Forest Department.

Such frequent disappointments send a negative message to the international wildlife community.

The Core Issue: Safari Management

Based on my observations and comparisons with India’s leading tiger reserves (such as Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Tadoba, Nagarhole, Bandipur, Kabini, Ranthambore, Sariska, and Dudhwa), the core issue lies in Safari Management, specifically Route Planning.

In other states, sanctuaries are divided into various zones and multiple independent routes, allowing tourist vehicles to disperse.

In Shimilipal, however, all 12 permitted vehicles travel together in a 'convoy' along a single route to Nuagaon and return the same way.

The collective noise and vibration of 12 vehicles moving in a line naturally drive wildlife away from the road.

Why Shimilipal Tigers Are Harder to Spot

While Shimilipal shouldn’t be compared directly to Bandhavgarh—which has one of the highest tiger densities and more open, deciduous terrain like Shimilipal—the disparity in management is stark.

Bandhavgarh’s drivers and guides are highly skilled in tracking alarm calls and pugmarks. Furthermore, their tigers have become habituated to vehicles over decades.

Shimilipal’s tigers, however, remain extremely shy; they retreat deep into the dense tropical forest at the first sound of an engine.

Suggestions for Improvement

The problem does not lie with the "Tiger Project" itself, but with the "Management" of the Safaris.

This article is intended to draw the government's attention to the ground reality.

As a well-wisher of Odisha’s tourism and an advocate for a world-class tiger safari experience, I urge the government to:

• Divide the safari routes into 3–4 distinct zones

• Open at least 20% of the core area for regulated safari access

• Adopt the management models used in Madhya Pradesh or Maharashtra

• Abolish the convoy system to increase the probability of wildlife sightings

I hope the government accepts these suggestions constructively so that Shimilipal can truly emerge as one of India’s premier wildlife destinations.