Pench National Park
Pench National Park, nestling in the lower southern reaches of the Satpura hills
is named after Pench river which flows from north to south through the Pench
National Park. It is located on the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh.
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 favour 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, Redvented 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.
Flora in Pench
It is blessed with forests spread in all the direction. As per the physiognomy,
the forest type is southern tropical dry deciduous teak and southern tropical
mixed deciduous forest with other species of shrubs, trees and climbers. Teak
and its associates moyan, mahua, mokha, skiras, tendu, bija, achar, garari,
aonla, ghont, baranga, amaltas, kihamali, khair, palas. Bamboo occurs sparsely,
restricted to some valley.
Fauna in Pench
The Pench National Park is very rich in fauna and a number of endangered species
have made it their habitat. There are aroung 55 tigers under this umbrella of
the Park. 39 species of mammals, 13 species of reptiles, 3 species of amphibians
and over 210 varieties of birds have already been listed.
Seasons
October to January- Cold 16* to 3* C
February to March- Cool 16* C to 26* C
April to June- 26 * to 42* C
Park Timings
The Pench National Park is open to the visitors from October 01st to June 30th
each year and closed during the rainy seasons (July- Sept.).
Copyright
© Wildlife
Tourism. All Rights Reserved