Similipal Tiger Reserve, a famous protected area in eastern India, is located in which state?

Introduction / Context:
India has several tiger reserves spread across different states under Project Tiger. Similipal Tiger Reserve is one of the oldest and most important reserves in the eastern part of the country. Questions in competitive exams often ask candidates to match famous tiger reserves with their correct states, as this tests both wildlife awareness and map based knowledge of India.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The question names Similipal Tiger Reserve as the place of interest.
It asks in which state this reserve is located.
Options are Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
We assume present administrative boundaries within India.

Concept / Approach:
The main idea is to remember the association between specific tiger reserves and their host states. Similipal Tiger Reserve is located in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha in eastern India. It is known for its dense forests, waterfalls and population of tigers and elephants. Other well known tiger reserves such as Tadoba in Maharashtra or Nagarjunsagar Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh belong to different states. The approach is to recall that Similipal is in Odisha and eliminate the distractor states in central and southern India.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the list of major tiger reserves and link them to states: Similipal with Odisha, Tadoba with Maharashtra, Kanha with Madhya Pradesh and so on.Step 2: Identify that Similipal Tiger Reserve is located in Mayurbhanj district in the northern part of Odisha.Step 3: Compare this known location with the options Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.Step 4: Select Odisha as the correct state for Similipal Tiger Reserve.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick check with a wildlife map of India or a government conservation website will show Similipal marked in Odisha. It is part of the Eastern Ghats and is often mentioned together with other protected areas of Odisha such as Satkosia. None of the official lists place Similipal in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh or Chhattisgarh. Therefore independent sources consistently confirm that Odisha is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Maharashtra has its own tiger reserves such as Tadoba Andhari, Melghat and Pench but not Similipal.
Andhra Pradesh is associated with reserves like Nagarjunsagar Srisailam but not Similipal Tiger Reserve.
Chhattisgarh has reserves such as Achanakmar and Udanti Sitanadi, and Similipal is not located there either.
These options are included to test whether the learner can distinguish one reserve from another across states.

Common Pitfalls:
Because many tiger reserves are located in central and eastern India, learners sometimes mix up their state locations. Names that are less familiar than Ranthambore or Corbett are especially prone to confusion. For Similipal, a good memory aid is to remember that it lies in the northern part of Odisha and is often mentioned in news related to Odisha s forest fires or elephant movements. Strongly linking each reserve name with a specific state can help avoid such mistakes.

Final Answer:
Similipal Tiger Reserve is located in the state of Odisha.