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Pench National Park has been known through the ages for its rich flora and
fauna. Many writers like Captain Forsyth, A.A.D. Brander, R.A. Strendale and
Rudyard Kipling have all mentioned Pench in their books as the place with
rich and beautiful flora and fauna.
Pench is named after the river that flows nearby. Pench was declared a
Wildlife Sanctuary in 1983, though it had been declared a notified area in
1972. Today, the park is the 19th Tiger Reserve in the country and takes
pride in its tigers and other wildlife. The total area under the Pench Tiger
Reserve comes to about 758 km, out of which a core area of 299 sq km is the
National Park and 464 km the buffer area.
Pench National Park is located in northwestern Maharastra in India about 70
km from the city of Nagpur. It extends into the neighbouring state of Madhya
Pradesh.
The vegetation here is typical of the southern tropical deciduous forest.
The common animals which can be seen are the gaur, sambhars, blue bulls,
macaque, langur, wild boar, bears and wild dogs and the Park is well-known
for its deers and leopards. A few tigers and civets can also be spotted
sometimes. Other important natural forests in Maharashtra like the Nagzira
Sanctuary and the Navegaon National Park are also comparatively close to
Pench.
The forest area of Pench National Park is redolent with tropical dry
deciduous teak and interspersed with bamboo trees and other species of
shrubs. The Kullu tree in Pench is a highlight and visitors are often
mesmerized by its almost white bark and spread out branches that are a
startling contrast to the lush greenery around.
In addition there are many rare varieties of herbs and grasses in this
region The tiger population in pench is one of the hightest - 55, in number.
The park is also rich in bird life with over 200 species like barbets,
bulbuls, minivets, orioles, wagtails, munias, mynas, waterfowls, and blue
kingfishers. The Pench River and water streams that weave through the area
along with nallahs and ravines provide the perfect habitat for the water
birds of this region. This is also the hunting ground for crocodiles and
turtles.
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HOW
TO REACH
By Air - Sonegaon Airport, Nagpur is 92 kms from the pench. Nagpur is
the nearest airport connected to Delhi & Mumbai and other places by regular
flights. Jabalpur is 192 kms from pench and also serves as a convenient
airhead with regular flights from Delhi.
By Rail - The nearest railhead is Seoni which is only 30 kms away from
Pench National Park.
By Road - The nearest bus stand is at Seoni from where one can take
buses or jeeps to the Pench National Park. Seoni is connected to almost all
the places in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra by good road and rail networks.
WHEN TO GO
The Pench National Park is open to visitors from early November to end June
each year and closed during the rainy season (July- October).
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WHAT TO SEE |
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Flora :- Pench is blessed with forests spread
in all the direction. As per general physiognomy, the forest type here
is southern tropical dry deciduous teak and southern tropical mixed
deciduous forest with other species of shrubs, trees, and climbers.
There are many rare varieties of herbs and grasses in this region that
are known to be of medicinal use. |
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Fauna :- Pench is very rich in fauna and a
number of endangered species have made it their habitat. There is high
density of the wild pig, nilgai, chital, muntjac, gaur and four horned
antelope. Sighting a tiger is as difficult here as in the other
national parks in the country and it needs a lot of patience and luck
to sight one.
Apart from mammals and other land-based wildlife, the park is also
rich in bird life. According to an estimation of the wildlife
authorities, the bird population in the park stands at over 125
species like barbets, bulbuls, minivets orioles, wagtails, munias,
mynas, waterfowls, and blue kingfishers. The Pench River, water
streams, and nallahs provide the best playground for the water birds
of this region. They are also the habitat for crocodiles and fresh
water turtles
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WHERE TO EAT
The sources of food are the restaurants at the resorts. Visitors own
resort will definitely provide catering facilities. It is however
possible to utilize the restaurant at the MPTDC resort even if they
are not staying there.
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