Pench National Park Madhya Pradesh

General Information :

Pench National Park: 292.85 sq km

Sanctuary: 118.31 sq.km

Other forest Area: 346.89 sq km

Total Pench Tiger Reserve: 757.89 sq.km

The India Eco-development project was started in Pench Tiger reserve in 1996-97 with the aid from World Bank. Under this project 99 villages around the tiger reserve have been identified in order to develop their own resources, so that their dependency on the project area is mitigated. In return , they will co-operate and participate in protection of Tiger.

Location

Main Entrance Gate at Turia is 12 kms from Khawasa. Khawasa lies on Nagpur Jabalpur NH-7 just on border of Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra. Khawasa is 80 kms from Nagpur and 190 kms from Jabalpur end.

Pench Tiger Reserve

Pench National park, nestling in the lower southern reaches of the satpuda hills is named after Pench river, meandering through the park from north to south. It is located on the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh, bordering Maharashtra, in the districts of Seoni and Chhindwara.

The undulating terrain of Pench is covered with small hills and well stocked taek and mixed forest. The main flora being Teak (Tectona grandis) , Saja (Terminalia tomentosa), Bija (Pterocarpus marsupium), Lendia, Haldu, Dhaora, Aonla, Amaltas etc. The ground is covered with a number of grasses, bushes, herbs & shrubs. Dazzling white Kullu trees scattered around singly in the forest is conspicuous among various hues of green. The old plantations of Teak & Bamboo add orderly vistas in the otherwise general wilderness.

The flow of Pench river stops in December, what remains are a few scenic and serene pools in the river bed. There are a few perennial springs and tanks. At the southern boundary of park, the Pench river has been dammed for Pench hydroelectic project at Totladoh. At the maximum capacity the reservoir submerges 54 sq kms of the park area. This had been the loss of best valley forest, which was once referred by Sir Rudyard Kipling in his book named "Jungle Book". This large reservoir of Pench with sporadic islands attract a number of winter birds from north.

Cheetal, SamBAR, Neelgai are commonly seen grazing on the open sites on roadsides and banks of river & reservoir. Jackals can be seen in search of food anywhere in park . Packs of wild dogs can also be seen occasionally . Herds of Gaur can be spotted near streams and bamboo patches, more common during summer months.

Langurs are very common. Whereas Rhesus monkeys may be seen occasionally on the fringes There are around 50 Tigers and 30 Leopards they are a shy lot and can be seen on roads and near water pools of river during summer months. Pench boasts of more than 210 species of birds including several migratory ones. Commonly seen are Pea fowl, Red jungle fowl, Crow pheasant, Crimson breasted barbet, Redvented bulbul, Racket tailed drongo, Magpie robin, Lesser whistling teal.

Topography

The landscape of the park is rolling with mainly gentle slopes criss-crossed by streams and nullahs. Most of these water courses are seasonal. Many of the hills are flat-topped and allow fine vistas of the forests around. The best known of these is 'Kalapahar' with an altitude of 650 mts. The Pench river flowing through the centre of the Reserve is dry by April but a number of water pools locally known as 'dohs' are found, which serve as waterholes for wild animals. A few perennial springs also exist. Recently a number of earthen ponds and shallow wells have been developed leading to well distributed sources of water all around the reserve.

Hotels & Resorts in Pench National Park

Icons Summary Restaurant Internet Service Tea/Coffe Machine Business Centre Swimming pool Travel Desk Doctor on Call Baby Sitting Health club Bar Safe Deposit Amphitheatre Library Std/Isd Money Exchange

Heavens Garden Resort
	Heaven's Garden is a Luxury Resort in Pench tiger reserve. Provides modern facilities and amenity. The camp encloses Open Garden with Air conditioned Super Deluxe Cottages both Air cooled rooms as well.

Tiger Corridor Resort
	Presenting Super Luxurious Jungle Camp situated in the heart of Pench, the " Tiger Corridor" the ultra new & chic luxurious destination for the royal experience amidst wildlife.

Mowgil's Den Resort
	Mowgli's Den Wildlife Resort offers 10 executive styled spacious rooms with modern amenities. The uniquely designed large bathrooms are a comfort you never forget.

Pench Jungle Camp
	12 Deluxe safari style canvas tents housed on permanent foundation with equipped with showers and tiled bathrooms. Each spacious tent can easily accommodate an extra bed.

Wildlife in Pench National Park

Animals in Park

Pench National Park has high population of Gaur (Indian Bison), Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, leopard, wild pig and wild dog. Other fauna found in the park are barking deer, jackal, sloth bear, fox, chousingha, jungle cat, small Indian civet, chinkara, barking deer, palm civet, porcupine, and hyena.

Birding in Pench National Park

Pench National Park is also a good destination for bird watching. There are over 285 species of resident and migratory birds including vultures white-rumped, longbilled, white scavenger, king vulture, Indian Pitta, Grey-headed Fishing Eagle, Malabar Pied Hornbill, White-eyed Buzzard, Brahmini Duck, Pochards, Coots, Osprey and Barheaded Geese.

The other fauna present include 50 species of fishes, 10 amphibians, 30 reptiles, 45 butterflies, 54 moths and numerous other insects.

Pench National Park :

Air : Nagpur is the nearest ( 80 Kms) airport to Pench National Park although people can come there from Jabalpur Airport which is around 190kms from the national park.

Rail Head : The nearest railhead is Nagpur

Road : Nagpur is the major city near to pench national park.

Nearby park : Kanha National Park

Best Season:
February to June although cool season (October to February) is much more comfortable and still very good for wildlife.

Pench National Park Map