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Pench National Park

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Pench National Park: 758 sq. km. 
Pench National Park is located in the southern reaches of the Satpuda Hills, and is named after the Pench River, which winds through the park from north to south.

  • Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park, totalling 299 sq. km.
  • Mowgli Pench Sanctuary and the remainder of Pench National Park, totalling 464 sq. km.

Pench National Park borders with Madhya Pradesh in south Maharashtra, in Seoni and Chhindwara districts. This tiger reserve has a glorious history, its rich natural beauty serving as the original setting of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. The vegetation supported ranges widely from moist, sheltered valleys to open, dry deciduous forest and over 1,200 species of plants, including rare and endangered.

Due to the lush and generous diversity of its habitat, Pench National Park boasts the highest density of herbivores in India at 90.3 animals per square kilometer:

  • Gaur (Indian bison)
  • Cheetal
  • Sambar
  • Nilgai
  • Wild dog
  • Wild pig

Key predators are:

  • Tiger
  • Leopard
  • Wild Dog
  • Wolf

Other native animals include:

  • Sloth Bear
  • Chousingha
  • Chinkara
  • Barking Deer
  • Jackal
  • Fox
  • Palm Civet
  • Small Indian Civet
  • Jungle Cat
  • Hyena
  • Porcupine

 

There are over 285 species of birds, resident and migratory, including:

  • Malabar Pied Hornbill
  • Indian Pitta
  • Osprey
  • Grey-headed Fishing Eagle
  • White-eyed Buzzard

The Pench Tiger Reserve is world-renowned for bird watchers. Along with over 50 species of fishes, 10 amphibians, 30 reptiles, 45 butterflies, 54 moths and numerous other insects, migratory birds and waterfowl include:

  • Brahmini duck
  • Pochards
  • Barheaded geese
  • Coots
  • Endangered vultures, including white-rumpled, long billed, white scavenger and king vulture

Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Wildlife Safari In Pench National Park

Timings for entry and exit vary according to season. In winters, morning entry is later and evening exit is earlier.

Winter Timings:
Entry:
Morning Safari: 0730 hrs
Evening Safari: 1500 hrs

Exit:
Morning Safari: 1030 hrs
Evening Safari: 1730 hrs

Summer Timings:
Entry:
Morning Safari: 0630 hrs
Evening Safari: 1600 hrs

Exit:
Morning Safari: 0930 hrs
Evening Safari: 1830 hrs

Attractions en route:
Ramtek And Kalidas Smarak:
A picturesque hill-town, Ramtek is home to the ancient temple of Lord Ram, many beautiful lakes, a 16th century Nagardhan fort and the Kalidas Smarak – a memorial to the great Sanskrit poet Kalidas. This place is considered to be holy, since Lord Ram had stayed here during his exile. Recently, an adventure sports complex has been set up at Ramtek, offering exciting and thrilling adventure activities. The beautiful Ambala and Khindsi Lakes nearby are worth a visit.

The Mansar Finds:
Recent archaeological excavations at 5 sites have revealed an ancient temple and residential complex (Pravaresvara and Pravarapura) and a collection of exotic sculptures and artefacts dating back to the 5th century CE.

Go-Vigyan Anusandhan Kendra:
An institution dedicated to the research and development of Panch-gavya, the five major substances obtained from cows which include cows urine, milk, ghee, curd and dung. Products formed from these substances are used to treat leucoderma, arthritis, renal disorders, acidity and so on. This institution is also striving to protect cows from slaughter. This institution has gained U.S. patents for its product, Kamdhenu Arka.

Dragon Temple:
Dedicated to Lord Buddha, this ten-acre area of the Dragon Palace Temple comprises of a magnificent Buddhist prayer centre offering peace and serenity to its visitors. Picturesque lanscape and stunning architecture combine to elevate your soul to new heights.

Khindsi Lake:
This beautiful forested lake, surrounded by hills on all sides, offers boating facilities and other water sports. The hills offer a panoramic view of the lake and the surrounding countryside.

Nagardhan Fort:
A majestic fort built by the Gond kings in the 16th century AD is the main attraction in this quaint village, which was once the ancient capital of Vidarbha.

Directions to Pench: While at Khawasa, a small little village on the Nagpur Jabalpur National Highway 7, you will see a board that says Pench National Park 12kms. Take this road through a beautiful teak forest. You will pass a couple of small villages on the way. Finally, you reach Village Avarghani. Directions to Pench from here are clear, and you move towards the Turia gate, which is about 1.5 kms away. Get into an open jeep, and after your formalities at the gate, enter the park.

Getting to Pench by air:

  • Nagpur is the nearest airport at just 88 km by road, or a 2 – 3 hour drive.
  • Jabalpur is an alternate airport at 200 kms by road from Pench. Jabalpur is well-connected with Delhi and Mumbai and other major Indian cities.

Getting to Pench by rail:
Nagpur Junction is the closest railway station from Pench National park. This station is well-connected by rail to all major Indian cities.

Getting to Pench by Road:
Nagpur is well-connected via the National Highway network. Pench is a mere 88 kms away via Seoni and NH7.

Optional Add on :

  • Ramtek
  • Kalidas Memorial
  • Khindsi
  • Nagardhan Fort
  • Go-Vigyan Anusandhan Kendra – a unique project based on cow products at Deolapar & Dragon Temple at Kamptee.