PENCH NATIONAL PARK
The districts of Chhindwara and Seoni in Madhya Pradesh, India, are home to Pench National Park. The
Pench River, which runs through the National Park, is the source of the name. The park is divided into
equal eastern and western halves, or the well-wooded parts of both districts, by the river, which flows
from north to south. There are many animal species in the park, but it's easy to spot wild guars, tigers,
leopards, monkeys, deer, and more. The park is adjacent to Maharashtra and Nagpur, and it's accessible
via Pauni on National Highway 7. Turiya and Karmajhiri are the two well-known gates for tourists to
enter.
History
Originally designated as a sanctuary in 1977, Pench National Park was elevated to the status of a national
park in 1983. Later in 1992, it was designated as PenchTiger Reserve, which has an area of 758 square
kilometers. The Mowgli Pench Wildlife Sanctuary occupies 118.30 square kilometers, while the center
zone of the Reserve is made up of 292.85 square kilometers of Pench National Park. A buffer zone of
346.73 square kilometers is made up of revenue land, protected forests, and reserve forests.
The history of Pench National Park is magnificent. Ain-i-Akbari (Constitution of Akbar), a 16th-century treatise chronicling the Akbar's administration empire and written by Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak, the Emperor Akbar's vizier, describes its splendor and natural abundance. Rudyard Kipling was influenced by Pench to write the well-known book "The Jungle Book." Above all, Pench National Park served as the backdrop for the third part of the BBC special Tiger, which was based on the growth of four tigers in the park.
The history of Pench National Park is magnificent. Ain-i-Akbari (Constitution of Akbar), a 16th-century treatise chronicling the Akbar's administration empire and written by Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak, the Emperor Akbar's vizier, describes its splendor and natural abundance. Rudyard Kipling was influenced by Pench to write the well-known book "The Jungle Book." Above all, Pench National Park served as the backdrop for the third part of the BBC special Tiger, which was based on the growth of four tigers in the park.
Wildlife in Park
The wildlife of Pench National Park is abundant, and many endangered species call it home. There are
about 25 tigers in these prey-rich forests, making them the most prevalent predator. Other predators
include wolves, jackals, hyenas, leopards, jungle cats, and dhols (Indian Wild Dogs). Sambhar, chital, gaur,
muntjac, langur, wild boar, and rhesus macaques are a few of the prey species that may be seen in the
park. Herds of deer are a common species.
A variety of migratory birds, including peafowls, crow pheasants, junglefowls, red-vented bulbuls, crimson-breasted barbets, magpie robins, lesser whistling teals, racket-tailed drongos, egrets, pintails, shovelers, and herons, are among the more than 170 bird species.
In the first year of the study, 25 tigers, 39 animals, 13 reptiles, and 3 amphibians were discovered within the park's boundaries. The park is home to a wide variety of birds in addition to mammals and other land-based plants and animals. 210 different kinds of birds, including munias, barbets, minivets, orioles, bulbul, waterfowls, wagtails, mynas, and blue kingfishers, were spotted in this park, according to the wildlife authorities' assessment.
A variety of migratory birds, including peafowls, crow pheasants, junglefowls, red-vented bulbuls, crimson-breasted barbets, magpie robins, lesser whistling teals, racket-tailed drongos, egrets, pintails, shovelers, and herons, are among the more than 170 bird species.
In the first year of the study, 25 tigers, 39 animals, 13 reptiles, and 3 amphibians were discovered within the park's boundaries. The park is home to a wide variety of birds in addition to mammals and other land-based plants and animals. 210 different kinds of birds, including munias, barbets, minivets, orioles, bulbul, waterfowls, wagtails, mynas, and blue kingfishers, were spotted in this park, according to the wildlife authorities' assessment.
Flora in Park
The park is endowed with lush, green forests that cover the entire National Park. There are tropical
mixed deciduous woods intermingled with southern dry broadleaf teak forests. Pench's vegetation
consists of a variety of trees, shrubs, and climbers. The following list includes some rare types of plants
that have therapeutic qualities:
Flora in Pench National Park
• Teak (Tectona Grandis)
• Saja (Terminalia Tomentosa)
• Bija (Pterocarpus Marsupium)
• Lendia (Lagerstroemia Parviflora)
• Haldu (Adina Cardifolia)
• Dhaora (Anogeissus Latifolia)
• Salai (Boswellia Serrata)
• Aonla (Emblica Officinalis)
• Amaltas (Cassia Fistula)
Flora in Pench National Park
• Teak (Tectona Grandis)
• Saja (Terminalia Tomentosa)
• Bija (Pterocarpus Marsupium)
• Lendia (Lagerstroemia Parviflora)
• Haldu (Adina Cardifolia)
• Dhaora (Anogeissus Latifolia)
• Salai (Boswellia Serrata)
• Aonla (Emblica Officinalis)
• Amaltas (Cassia Fistula)
Safari Timings
Pench National Park's safari schedule is nearly identical to that of other national parks. Seasons affect
the park's entrance and exit. February through April is the ideal time of year to visit Pench National Park.
Wintertime brings a shorter day, so people arrive late in the morning and leave early in the evening.
Every year, from October 16 until the end of June, the National Park is open to visitors. From July to
October, when it rains, it is closed. The best time to see tigers and other uncommon species is during an
early morning tour.
Winter Safari Timings
Entry:
Morning Safari: 07:30 hrs
Evening Safari: 15:00 hrs
Exit:
Morning Safari: 10:30 hrs
Evening Safari: 17:30 hrs
Morning Safari: 07:30 hrs
Evening Safari: 15:00 hrs
Exit:
Morning Safari: 10:30 hrs
Evening Safari: 17:30 hrs
Summer Safari Timings
Entry:
Morning Safari: 06:30 hrs
Evening Safari: 16:00 hrs
Exit:
Morning Safari: 09:30 hrs
Evening Safari: 18:30 hrs
Morning Safari: 06:30 hrs
Evening Safari: 16:00 hrs
Exit:
Morning Safari: 09:30 hrs
Evening Safari: 18:30 hrs
Attractions in Pench National Park
Sitaghat - This location is a meandering walk near the Pench River's bank, dotted with picturesquelooking trees and boulders. White flowers and plants lope down the bank during the summer. It is
essential to go early in the morning to see these blooms in their full bloom. Additionally, it looks like a
great site to watch wildlife.
Alikatta - This location is another thrilling destination with an intriguing grassland region where animals can be seen. There is a great view of grazing herds of thousands of spotted deer in the twilight. Elephant rides are also available, and they start here.
Chhindimatta Road - It is regarded as a site of importance in the enormous Pench reservoir and travels over steep slopes. Leopards find great habitat on the steep rocks. Hawks, buzzards, and eagles are among the other animals that are seen hovering over their nests.
Bodhanala Range - For tourists, this region is worth viewing. It leads from a sloping slope through a bamboo grove to a massive pond near the park's edge. It's a great place for raptors.
Above all, you should see some of Pench's other attractions, such as Kalapahad, Doob Road, and Raiyakassa. The potential to see enormous herds and the king of the jungle is fantastic when visiting all of these locations.
Alikatta - This location is another thrilling destination with an intriguing grassland region where animals can be seen. There is a great view of grazing herds of thousands of spotted deer in the twilight. Elephant rides are also available, and they start here.
Chhindimatta Road - It is regarded as a site of importance in the enormous Pench reservoir and travels over steep slopes. Leopards find great habitat on the steep rocks. Hawks, buzzards, and eagles are among the other animals that are seen hovering over their nests.
Bodhanala Range - For tourists, this region is worth viewing. It leads from a sloping slope through a bamboo grove to a massive pond near the park's edge. It's a great place for raptors.
Above all, you should see some of Pench's other attractions, such as Kalapahad, Doob Road, and Raiyakassa. The potential to see enormous herds and the king of the jungle is fantastic when visiting all of these locations.
Climate
Situated in the southern part of the Satpura Ranges, Pench National Park is surrounded by small hills and
a well-stocked teak mixed forest. The park has a tropical continental climate with distinct monsoons
(July-September), winters (November-February), and summers (April-June). The altitude varies from 425
to 620 meters above sea level, with temperatures of 4°C in December and 42°C in May and June. The
average rainfall is 1300 mm. During the summer, casual summer clothing in natural colors is ideal from
March to May, while from November to February, it is crucial to bring warm clothing for chilly mornings
and foggy evenings.
How to reach Pench National Park
By Air: The closest airport to the park is Nagpur Airport, which is 88 kilometers away. Other alternative is
Jabalpur Airport, which is 200 km away from the park.
By Rail: Nagpur, the closest train station, is 90 kilometers away and has excellent connections to all Indian cities.
By Road: NH No. 7 travels 88 kilometers from Pench to Nagpur via Seoni.
By Rail: Nagpur, the closest train station, is 90 kilometers away and has excellent connections to all Indian cities.
By Road: NH No. 7 travels 88 kilometers from Pench to Nagpur via Seoni.