Pench National Park is placed in Chhindwara and Seoni districts of Madhya Pradesh (India). The name is derived from the Pench River, crosses the National Park. The river flows from north to south that divides the park into equal areas of the east and western halves – the woody wells of both districts. The park has several species of animals among which wild guars, tigers, leopards, monkeys and deer, etc., are easily observed. The park is near Pauni National 7 of the road and very close to Nagpur and Maharashtra. There are two famous gates for tourist entry, which is called Turiya and Karmajhiri.
History
Pench National Park was declared as a Sanctuary in 1977, but in 1983, they took the category of National Park. Later in 1992, it was recognized as a PenchTiger Reserve, which covers 758 square kilometers of area and the Pench National Park form the area of the center of the reserve that covers 292.85 square kilometers, and the Sanctuary of Life Wild Pench Mowgli covers 118.30 square kilometers of areas. A buffer zone formed by reserve forests, land income and protected forests occupies 346.73 square kilometers.
Pench National Park has splendid history. The representation of its magnificence and natural wealth is produced in Ain-i-Akbari (Constitution of Akbar), which was a 16th-century document written by Abu’l-Fazl ibn Mubarak (vizier of Emperor Akbar), empire recording of the Akbar administration. Pench has inspired Rudyard Kipling to write the popular novel ‘The Jungle Book’. Above all, BBC’s third special tiger ‘spy in the jungle’ was also filmed in Pench National Park, which was based on the cultivation of four Tigers in Pench.
Table of Contents
Wildlife in the park
Pench National Park is very rich in fauna and is a lodging for a large number of endangered species. The most dominant predator is tiger and there are about 25 of them in these forests rich in prey. There are some other predators such as dhol (Indian wild dog), leopard, hyena, wolf, Chacaly the jungle cat. Some species of prey in the park are sambhar, chital, gaur, muntjac, langur, wild boar and macaque macaques of India. Common species are herd of deer.
There are more than 170 species of birds that include several migratory species such as peacock, crow pheasant, wild, red ventilation bulbul, crimson chest barbet, robin magpie, teal minor whistle, tail racket drone, heron, corn duck, spoon duck , herons among others.
According to the study in year 1, 25 tigers were found under the park’s umbrella along with 39 mammals, 13 reptiles and 3 amphibians. Apart from mammals and other terrestrial flora and fauna, the park is also rich in birds. According to the evaluation of wildlife authorities, 210 species of birds were observed in this park as astrilds, bearded, orioles minivets, bulbul, impressive shelters, washers, mynas and blue kingfishers.
Flora in the Park
The park has rich and green forests, spread throughout the national park area. Southern dry leafy teak forests are there, which blends with mixed deciduous forests. The flora in Pench includes different types of shrubs, climbers and trees. It has some uncommon varieties of herbs with medicinal properties mentioned below:
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
Safari time in Pench National Park is almost similar like other parks in the country. The entrance and exit of the park vary according to the season. The best time to visit Pench National Park is between February and April. Due to the shorter duration of daylight in winter, the time of tomorrow’s entry is too late and night time of departure is early. The National Park is still open for visitors from October 16 to the end of June and closed during the rainy season (July to October) every year. Early in the morning safari is the most worth spot tigers and other rare animals.
Winter timetables Safari
- Entrance : Morning
- Safari : 7:30 AM Afternoon Safari: 3:00 PM
- Departure:Safari morning: 10:30 hrs
- Evening safari: 17:30 hrs
- Summer hours Safari
- Entrance: In the morning Safari: 6:30 hrs
- Evening safari: 16:00 hrs
- Departure: Safari tomorrow: 9:30 hrs
- Safari of the night: 18:30 hrs
Activities to do in the Park
Pench National Park is popular for its fauna and flora and fauna. There are many ways to get to know the fauna of the forest. They are:
- Jeep Safaris
- Elephant ride
- Bird watching
- Walk to the jungle
- Safaris (12 km) on foot
Attractions in Pench National Park
Sitaghat National Park – this place is winding road near the shore of the Pench River, mottled with rocks and artistic looking trees. During the summer season, shrubs and white flowers lope all together with the Bank. To see these flowers in bloom, it is essential to visit at dawn. The place also seems to be a splendid place for wildlife tourism.
Alikatta- this place is another exciting attraction that has fascinating grassland area, where animals are also observed. In the afternoon time, there are excellent views of herd grazing consisting of thousands of spotted deer. You can also enjoy elephant rides that start from this place.
Chhindimatta Road – Road over the rocky hills, is considered as a place of interest in the great Pench reservoir. They make rocky cliffs places for leopards. Other species such as eagles, hawks and hawks that hang over their nests are observed.
Bodhanala range – this area is worth sightseeing for visitors. Start from slopy hill, bamboo forest to a huge pond near the park’s border. It is a perfect area for birds of prey.
Above all, there are some other points of interest to explore in Pench Raiyakassa, on the way to Doob and Kalapahad. Traveling to these places give opportunity for Granrebaños and king of the jungle.
Tourist places near Pench National Park
There are some main attractions near Pench National Park, which adds more fun and excitement in travel. They are:
Bandhavgarh National Park – this park is 338.7 km (approx.7 hours) from Pench and gives a wildlife refuge where nature and history meet. Located in the middle of the Vindhyan hills, the park has a series of successively running bridges across it. The main attractions of the area are however in the heart of the park with its beautiful 32 wooded hills.
Kanha National Park- Only 2 hours by car (136.5 km) from Pench National Park, there is Kanha National Park. Located in the district of Mandia (Madhya Pradesh), the park is a tiger reserve that drives over 1945 square kilometers of the undulating country. It is a lodging to more than 1000 species of plants of flower. It has an important population of leopards, Royal Bengal tiger, lazy bear, barasingha, Indian wild dog, etc. ..
Nagzira National Park: The fauna of this park is protected in the arms of nature and adorned with a picturesque landscape and lush vegetation. Only three hours away (176.5 km) from Pench National Park, this park is located in the Bhandara district of Maharashtra. The small reserve is a vital corridor that connects the central and southern wooded areas such as Kanha and Tadoba-Andhari tiger reserves.
Tadoba National Park – just 256.4 KM from Pench, Tadoba National Park lies in Chandrapur District of the north-eastern part of Maharashtra. Popular as ‘The jewel of Vidharba’, this park is located in the heart of a quiet forest. The park is very popular for its plant life and wildlife. It has a tropical dry deciduous forest where teak is the dominant species.
Climate
Pench National Park is located at 21 ° 40 ′ 17.76 ″ north and 79 ° 18 ′ 11.88 ″ east. The land of Pench is surrounded by small hills and well-stocked mixed teak forest in the southern part of the Satpura ranges. The park has a tropical continental climate with distinct monsoons (July-September), winter (November-February) and summers (from April to June). The variegates altitude from 425 to 620 meters above the msl. The temperature of this region is 4 ° C in December and 42 ° C in May and June. Average rainfall is 1300 mm.
During the summer, casual summer clothes of natural colors is perfect from March to May while from November to February, wearing warm clothes for cold morning and foggy night is very important.
How to get
At the Nagpur air airport (88 km) it is the closest to the park. Another option is Jabalpur Airport, 200 km from the park.
By train the nearest station is Nagpur (90 km), well connected to all the cities of India. Either, you can also check the Palace on Wheels price for the lean and peak season.