In a first for a President, Murmu to spend night in Similipal guest house

Bhubaneswar: For the first time, a serving President of India will spend the night at a guest house inside Similipal Tiger Reserve, the world’s only known habitat of melanistic tigers.

President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to stay at the Gudgudia guesthouse on Friday night with her entourage amid tight security. The historic visit is expected to boost tourism and place Similipal firmly on the international wildlife tourism map, alongside some of the world’s most sought-after destinations. Located in Mayurbhanj, the President’s home district, Similipal was last visited by her in May 2023.


Gudugudia is an eco-tourism site, which is the gateway to the core of the south division, noted for the concentration of Royal Bengal Tiger. Close to Gudgudia is another eco-tourism site called Kumari. Both sites, with 26 rooms, were kept reserved for Friday, with the Gudugudia guesthouse solely for the President and other facilities for her entourage.

Officials said that, as per the programme, Murmu is likely to interact with tribal villagers who live in the fringe villages of Gudgudia and Barehipani. Forest minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia, who is also from Mayurbhanj, will remain present during the interaction.

“Out of around 40 platoons of police force, close to 10 platoons will be deployed in Similipal, including the SOG commandos,” said DIG (eastern range) Pinak Mishra.

Similipal field director Prakash Gogineni said the President’s own chefs accompany her even though the eco-tourism facilities have trained cooks to serve local delicacies. The trained cooks are from among the villagers. “The local cooks will be there and they will keep everything ready. The President’s chefs will both supervise and prepare food. There will be catering facilities for her entourage, security personnel, police and other officials,” he said.

Similipal authorities said there is no programme yet for the President to go on a safari inside the sanctuary. In case it happens, it will take more than 2 hours, they added.

During her last visit, Murmu spent time in the lap of nature watching wildlife at Chahala, a core area in north Similipal. Murmu then donned a jacket and a wildlife hat of Similipal to roam around the place. She also went for wildlife sighting in a vehicle, although an open safari vehicle was ready for her.