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Pench National Park
The Pench Tiger Reserve is named after the Pench river, which flows from north to south through the Reserve. The Reserve is located in the southern reaches of the Satpura hill ranges in the Seoni and Chhindwara districts in the Madhya Pradesh state of India. The terrain is undulating, with most of the area covered by small hill ranges, steeply sloping on the sides.
The Reserve is situated in an area that holds a significant place in the natural history of Central India. The description of its natural beauty, richness in flora and fauna has appeared in numerous wildlife books dating back to 17th century. Books written in the 19th and early 20th century by famous naturalists like Captain J. Forsyth and Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book explicitly present the detailed panorama of nature's abundance in this tract.
An extensive forest belt extends in three directions, north, east and south, covering forest tracts of Seoni, Balaghat and Nagpur districts. The contiguous forest on the southern side in the Maharashtra state of India, initially notified as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru National Park has been recently included in the Project Tiger network by the same name as this Reserve. A dam was constructed on the Pench river on south-eastern boundary of the Reserve.The area is criss-crossed by numerous seasonal streams and nalas. The Pench river flowing through the central line of the Reserve is dry by the April-end 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 in this area. However, the water sources are not suitably distributed, hence large area remains unutilized by the wild animals. The Pench reservoir at the center of the Reserve is the only major water source during pinch period.
As the prey concentration is high along the Pench river, tigers usually inhabit this belt. Leopards, though, generally operate in the peripheral areas but are occasionally seen in deep forests also. Jungle cats are commonly seen. Leopard cats, Small Indian Civets and Palm Civets are common but seen very rarely.
Wild dogs are commonly seen in packs of 12 to 15, near Chhedia, Jamtara, Bodanala and Pyorthadi areas of the Reserve. Wild Boar is ubiquitous. Sloth bear occupy hilly, rocky out crops and favour mahul bel infested forest. Chinkara is present in very small number and is found in open areas around Turia, Telia, Dudhgaon villages. Jackals are seen occasionally in near Tekadi, Alikatta and Chhindimatta villages
Location of Pench National Park :In the Seoni and Chhindwara districts of southern Madhya Pradesh. The nearest airport is Nagpur, 93km (58 miles) from the park. The town of Seoni, 19km (12 miles) away, is the nearest railhead.
Climate of Pench National Park :: Summer is scorching (maximum 43°C; 110°F) while winter is extremely cold (minimum 4°C; 39°F).
When to go ( Pench National Park) :: Although veryhQt, summer, from March to June, is the best time to see wildlife. November to February are pleasant.
Getting to Pench National Park :: Pench reserve lies on National Highway No.7 (NH7)j between Nagpur and Jabalpur. A car is essential in the park; car hire in Jabalpur, Seoni a(ld Nagpur. Visitors to Pench at present are true wildlife enthusiasts, although the.park is gaining in popularity.
Facilities at Pench National Park :: Forest rest houses within the national park; no private lodges. Cooking facilities supplied for self-catering. Guides are necessary for touring the park.
Wildlife in Pench National Park : : Major attraction 'is great numbers of deer and antelope: Nilgai, Chital, Muntjac, Chausingha. Also Wild Boar and Indian Bison. Tiger present but sightings rare
Permits and Reservations for Pench National Park : : For details and reservations, contact: The director, Pench National Park, Seoni District, Madhya Pradesh.
Conservation History
Pench Tiger Reserve was created in 1992, becoming 19th Reserve in the Project Tiger network. The core zone of the Reserve, Pench National Park was created in 1983. This was carved out of the Pench Sanctuary created in 1977 with an area of 449.39 sq. km. The area of the Park is 292.85 sq. km., which is divided almost equally in two districts - 145.36 sq. km. in Seoni and 147.28 sq. km. in Chhindwara. The area in Seoni is all Reserve Forest whereas the area in Chhindwara includes 138.24 sq. km. Reserve forests, 6.26 sq. km. Protected Forests and 2.78 sq. km. revenue land. The buffer zone, 465 sq. km., comprises of 333.05 sq. km. of R.F., 102.36 sq. km. of P.F. and 29.59 sq. km. of revenue land. The total area of the reserve is 757.86 sq. km.
Forest Types South Indian Tropical moist deciduous (slightly moist),Southern tropical dry deciduous teak bearing forests.,Southern dry mixed deciduous forest.
Main Species (Flora)
Teak and its associates Moyan, Mahua, Mokha, Skiras, Tendu, Bija, Achar, Garari andAonla, Bhaman, Ghont, Baranga, Amaltas, Kihamali, Khair, Bhirra, Palas. Bamboo occurs sparsely, restricted to some valleys.
Main Species(Fauna)
Mammals: Tiger, Leopard, Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Striped Hyena, Wild Dog, Wolf, Common Mongoose, Sloth Bear, Pangolin, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Barking Deer, Blue Bull, Wild Pig and Gaur etc.
Reptiles: Fresh water crocodile, Indian Chameleon, Common Krait, Indian Rock Python, Cobra, Indian Flap Shell Turtle, Peninsular black turtle etc.
Fishes: Padhan, Jhunda, Sanbal, Chalar, Dadai, Mahur, Kunda, Mrigal, Rohu, Calbasu and Mahasir etc.
Special Projects
A research project, sponsored by W.I.I. on Bison is on.
New Initiatives
Eco-development
World Bank funded India Eco-development project is in progress.The major components are improved PA management, village eco-development, and environment education and awareness.
30 Eco-development committees have been taken up for work in the year 1989-90, remaining 69 E.D.C. will be taken up in the year 1999-2000.
Village Forest Protection Committees
Ninety nine Eco-development committees are striving to taken up the additional work of forest protection.
Protection Squads / Patrolling
One patrolling squad has been constituted.
