Kipling Country Where Jungle Book Characters Live

I have a weak recollection of account of the discovery of "Mowgli The Wolf Child" the central character of Jungle Book.  

It is said one Lt. Moor was the first to discover Mowgli in the company of wolves in the village of Sant Vavadi during the Raj in India This was probably in the nineteenth century. Lt. Moor is then supposed to have mentioned or penned his discovery. This came to the notice of  William Henry Sleeman of the British Army based in Jabalpur. Incidentally, he was a popular figure among the locals and was instrumental in bringing to end the rule of thugs in Central India.  

Sleeman is supposed to have penned an account of Mowgli in a pamphlet. The book is probably Rambles & Recollection of an Indian Official. During the British Raj Central India was an exotic land very little understood and was yet to be discovered. Incidence like occurrence of a man cub living with the wolves  was in that era. 

In his memory, a town was named near Jabalpur. It is known as Sleemanabad that is 30 km from Jabalpur in MP..     

The rest is history whence Kipling wrote Jungle Book. The book became popular but greater publicity was accorded to the region and the park with the making of the film "Jungle Book" based on the exploits of Mowgli the naked wolf  child. A story based between the facts and fiction nevertheless has stirred extreme curiosity and wonder and hence thousands flock Pench National Park to witness the wild thrills themselves.  

Some distance away from Jabalpur City & Mandla Township there is a small town known as Seoni. It is situated on the present Nagpur Highway near Pench Tiger Reserve. The forests since ancient times known as Seoni Hills were host to amazing biodiversity. The animal life was enchanting and the forests were one large contiguous region comprising of Kanha National Park and other protected areas.       

Fragmented and reduced to patches thanks to the ravaging of times and the ever-burgeoning population the jungles are in a sordid state. The forests are now conserved as Pench Tiger Reserve in an area much reduced but nevertheless still able to hold substantial wilderness.

The Seonee Hills as known earlier were popular for the dense forests and jungle life. They find mention in Ain E Akbari, Highlands of Central India (Forsyth), Dunbar Brander’s ‘Wild Animals of Central India’, or Robert Armitage Strendale’s ‘Seonee – Camp life in Satpura Hills’.      

During the passage of  Seoni Hills lost connectivity with Kanha, and a weak corridor exists now. Much diversity was lost due to uncontrolled hunting, timber felling, and lately rapid urbanization that is taking over the whole of India.  Tigers and wolves were most persecuted but both survive within the confines of the tiger reserve and Pench Wildlife Sanctuary nearby.         

Sher Khan the tiger is the ruler of this veritable paradise in Central India. He is making his last stand after years of persecution and substantial loss of his kingdom. Man has become the chief predator outside the ecosystems and is gobbling forests in name of development and for rabid economic gains. 

Nevertheless, the Indian Government has created safe pockets known as protected areas offering the beleaguered wilderness a chance to survive.   Recently an eco over bridge has been  built to facilitate wild animal migration and this has prevented many fatal accidents between the fast moving vehicles and the animals.

On your visit to Pench, you could come across Sherkhan, Baghira, Baloo, Kaa, Bandar Log, Akela the wolf, Tabaki, and Riki Tikki Tavi. Left to your imagination you will elaborate all that you will see on exciting tiger safaris. The destination is one of the best in India for a wildlife holiday and recreation.  

Tiger Safari 

The safaris are organized from predawn to noon and from evening till sunset. In the morning safari visitors can carry lunch to be consumed at a designated place. The park is divided into many zones in the core are as well as the buffer zone. Visitors need to book their excursions in an allotted zone in the morning and the same is applicable to evening safari. A forest guide is mandatory on the jeep but the visitors can also hire a naturalist subject to six passengers on the jeep being the limit.

The game rides can be booked at MPOnline Website and at the gate subject to availability. Please remember their is a limit to entry in each tourism zone in the park. 

Situated in the Satpura Hill Range Pench is somewhere between Jabalpur in MP and Nagpur in Maharashtra. It is much closer to Nagpur. The forests are a cluster with relatively low and high-density canopies, bamboo clumps, and grasslands.  Characteristic low-rise hills shape the tiger landscape interspersed with dry deciduous forests and rivers.

The Pench river virtually dissects the 758 sq. km park into two and is the lifeline of this ecosystem. A number of rivulets and waterholes provide succor to the wild animals whence the Pench River partially dries up during the hot summers. The river is dammed and the reservoir is named Totlah Doh.         

On a tiger safari, you can come across amazing animals like tiger, sloth bear, wolf, leopard, bison, wild dog, Nilgai, sambar, and barking deer. Among the common sights are the peacock, wild boar, spotted deer, and langur or Hanuman Monkey.     

Avian abound making Pench National Park one of the most sought-after birding destinations in India. Ideally suited for forests birds, the reserve also supports waterfowls, shorebirds, and wintering teals.