Pench

The Pench National Park is located in Southern Madhya Pradesh in India, about 70 km from the city of Nagpur. Spread over an area of 275 km². 90% of the area is in the neighboring state of Madhya Pradesh, the remaining 10% in Maharashtra.

The vegetation here is typical of the southern tropical deciduous forest. The best time to visit the park is between February and April. 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.

Pench National Park is situated to the south of Satpura Hills. It is named so after the name of the river Pench which flows through this area. This park is also a paradise for bird watchers as a lot of species; around 270 of them can be sighted here.

The Park is open to The Park is open to visitors between 6 AM to 10:30 AM and 3 PM to 6 PM in the evening. The park remains closed during July, August, and September. It can be accessed by road as well as railway.

Other important natural forests in Maharashtra like the Nagzira Sanctuary and the Navegaon National Park are also close to Pench. The name of Pench National Park was changed to "Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park " in November 2002. Similarly the name of Pench Sanctuary has been changed to "Mowgli Pench Sanctuary" .

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.

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 beers occupy hilly, rocky out crops and favor mahulbel infested forest. Chinkara 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 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. Alikatta : A relocated village site that is now the main elephant camp of the park.

The grassland or maidan here has numerous herds of chital and the submergence around the southern and western sides of the village affords splendid scenery. Pyorthadi : An abandoned village site that is partly submerged. The submergence attracts huge herds of chital and other animals. The submergence is open only after December.