The Pench National Park lies among the southern
valleys of the Satpura ranges in the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India.
The major town located nearest to the park is Nagpur, Which is 95 km away. The
park covers an area of 292.85 sq km but if combined with the neighboring forest
area of the Mowgli Pench Sanctuary (118.31 sq km) and the buffer zone (346.73
sq km), they total up to an area of 757.89 sq km to form what is known as the
Pench Tiger Reserve. Recently in 1992, Pench has been included under the umbrella
of "Project Tiger" as the 19th Project Tiger Reserve.'
A total
of 758 Sq. kms of this Southern Indian tropical moist deciduous forest has its
extent mingling with the tropical dry deciduous teak. The area is crisscrossed
by a number of streams and 'nallahs' most of which are seasonal. Though the Pench
River dries up in April end, a number of water pools locally known as 'dohs' are
found which serve as water holes for the wild animals. The Pench Reservoir at
the center of the park is the only major water source during the pinch period.
As a prey concentration is high along the Pench River, tiger usually inhabits
frequents this belt. Leopard though generally operates in the peripheral areas
but are occasionally seen in the deep forest also. Jungle cats are commonly seen.
Leopard cats, small Indian civets and palm civets are common but seen rarely.
In
Pench, Cheetal, Sambar, nilgai 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 the Park. Packs up to 15 of wild dog can be seen near Chhedia,
Jamtara, Bodanala and Pyorthadi areas of the Reserve. Herds of gaur can be spotted
near streams and bamboo patches commonly in summer months. Sloth beer occupy hilly,
rocky out crops and favor mahul bel infested forest. Chnkara is present in very
small numbers and is found in open areas around Turia, Telia and Dudhgaon villages.
Langoors
are very common in Pench, whereas the Rhesus monkeys may be seen occasionally
on the fringes. Pench boasts of, more than 210 species of birds that include several
migratory ones also. Commonly seen are Peafowl, Red jungle fowl, Crow pheasant,
Crimson breasted barbet, Red vented bulbul, Racket tailed drongo, Magpie robin
and lesser whistling teal.
Location : Pench National Park is
situated in the Seoni District of Southern Madhya Pradesh and runs in continuation
with Pench National Park in Maharashtra. It is situated 80 Kms from Nagpur. (2
hours of drive) and is well connected by an all weather metalloid road network
to other important places in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The nearest railhead
of Nagpur (80 Kms.) serves as a comfortable air and railhead.
How to
reach Pench Jungle Camp : » By Air - Airport - Sonegaon Airport,
Nagpur (92 kms. from the Pench National Park). Nagpur is the nearest airport connected
to Delhi & Mumbai and other places by regular flights.
» By
Rail - Nagpur (92 kms.) is the nearest railway station connected to Delhi &
Mumbai and other places in the region by regular trains. Jabalpur (192 kms.) also
serves as a convenient railhead connected to Delhi and other parts of the country.
Numerous Rajdhani Express trains from Delhi conveniently connect to Nagpur like,
the Delhi- Chennai, Delhi- Bangalore & Delhi- Bilaspur trains.