A total of 23 tourists from West Bengal entered into the park from the entry point at Kaliani in three vehicles as the national park reopened, said Anup Nayak, Regional Chief Conservator of Forest (RCCF), Baripada.
For the first time tourists visiting the park would be offered elephant ride to have a close look at wildlife, he said adding three elephants would be engaged for the purpose.
The elephants and mahuts were trained by experts from Assam, the RCCF said.
The restrictions on entry into the park is being imposed every year from June 15 with the onset of monsoon as the roads inside the jungle get washed away by the rain waters, Nayak said.
Tourists will be allowed to visit the park only during day time and nobody can spend night inside the park. The restriction was imposed since 2009 following a Maoist attack in Similipal area, he said.
The wildlife lovers can visit the park From two entry points at Pithabata and Kaliani. Only 60 vehicles can enter the park from both points between 0600 hours and 0900 hours and
leave before evening, Nayak said adding no entry was recorded from Pithabata on opening day today.