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The book has been recently published jointly by Save Elephant Foundation Trust of Odisha. Similipal is one of the nine tiger reserves of the country initially notified during 1973. It is also a biosphere reserve of the same name recognized nationally in 1994 and internationally in 2009. It is also part of the Mayurbhanj elephant reserve. The author mentions several known and unknown facts about the reserve. The book lists 1359 species of plants found in Similipal and mentions among them which have medicinal applications. Further 141 species of lichens, 33 species of bryophytes, and 19 species of corticolous algae have been added. A checklistof 60 species of mammals, 385 species of birds, 23 species of amphibians, 70species of reptiles, 66 species of fishes, and 133 invertebrates of these forests is also appended. There are seven chapters in the book, namely the landscape, the flora, the fauna, the people, the management, the corridor, and the epilogue, bringing out the salient features of Similipal. Sri Naveen Patnaik, Honourable Chief Minister of Odisha writes in the Foreword, "Similipal in Mayurbhanj district is an amazing floral and faunal repository displaying a mosaic composition of plant and animal species representing northern, southern, western and northeastern India. It is one of the most vibrant ecosystems on earth" and adds that the book will be useful to promote research, conservation, and environmental services on a sustained basis.

Dr. Swain, who is at present a member of the Lokayukta, Odisha,was the director of the reserve from April 2002 to November 2007. He also served as the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Odisha and head of National Tiger Conservation Authority at New Delhi. The book written by him will prove to be a standard source of reference.