Pench National Park in India

The forests are a part of Central Indian Highlands which James Forsyth has written about so much. The tracts that extended to more than five thousand sq.km. are now fragmented. Wildlife conservation efforts have helped in saving these precious jewels that we have inherited.

Pench is a wonderful tiger reserve with unique wildlife.and is situated at “Seoni Hills” in the district of Seoni in Madhya Pradesh. Seoni Hills also find reference in the book “The Highlands of Central India” written by Capt:James Forsyth.

Tiger is the keystone species here and other wild mammals, reptiles and insects are as exciting to see during the tiger safari in the park. The bird life at Pench has yet to be explored and no check list has been made so far. Large number of wetland species can be seen in winters at Totlah Doh Dam built on the River Pench which is the lifeline of the habitat.

Pench Tiger Reserve is now very famous for wildlife watching and birding tourism. A tiger safari  offers sightings of Indian Tiger, Bison, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Sambar Deer, Nilgai, Spotted Deer, Wild Dogs, Barking Deer, Wild Boars and Langurs. Indian wolf is often seen in the periphery of the tiger reserve. There are many nocturnal creatures like the mongoose, porcupine, Indian civets, ratel and many birds like night jars and some owls like mottled wood owl. These can be seen in night safaris outside the park as they are not allowed within the park confines.

For management purpose the reserve has been divided into ranges. These are Karmajhiri, Kurai and Gumtara. These ranges are subject to extensive patrolling by the forest staff in order to prevent poaching and wood logging. Adjoining the National Park lies the Mowgli Wildlife Sanctuary which adds to the forest cover.

The park is divided into Core and Buffer zones each of which receive varied degree of protection. Core is completely inviolate zone while buffer is subject to minimal activity. The tourism takes place in the core area on limited jungle roads. Only jeep safaris are allowed in the park and trekking on foot is prohibited.

Pench is rich in bird life though most of it is unexplored. The striking number of avian species makes this one of the most potential birding destination in India. Due the presence of the Totlah Doh Dam in the park there is great scope for watching wetland as well as forest birds. A large number of migrating species arrive her in winters.

Some note able avian species are:

Malabar Pied Hornbill
Shama
Indian Pitta
Eurasian Hobby
Hume’s warbler
Indian Scimitar Babbler
Twany Babbler
Booted Eagle
Osprey
Crested Serpent Eagle
Changeable Hawk Eagle
White Naped Woodpecker
Black Rumpled Flame Back
White Eyed Buzzard
Jungle Owlet
Indian Scops Owl
Iora
Yellow Eyed Babbler
Jungle Babbler
Tickell’s Flycatcher
Black Naped Monarch
Asian Paradise Flycatcher
Black Drongo
White Bellied Drongo
Racket Tailed Drongo
Golde Oriole
Black Headed Oriole
Grey Hornbill
Shikra
Spotted Owlet
Red Jungle Fowl
Painted Spurfowl
Red Spurfowl
Grey Francolin
Brahminy Duck
Northern Pintail
Cotton Pigmy Goose
Little Grebe
Lesser Whistling Teal
Wooly Necked Stork
Open Billed Stork
Black Headed Ibis
Red Headed Ibis
Wryneck
Pariah Kite

About three day visit is required to enjoy birding in this preserve. The best season is winters whence the migrants arrive.

Pench Forests are tropical dry deciduous mix type. The mix forest topography offers a large variety of fruiting tress, herbs and shrubs besides grasses. This results in an excellent food factor in which the herbivores thrive. Some of the noted trees found in the park are:

Saaj
Sagwan
Mahua
Lendyia
Bahera
Harra
Tendu
Salai
Bel
Awnla
Berry
Tinsa
Bhilma
Amaltas
Dhok or Palas
Arjun
Sarteli
Mokha
Skiras,
Bija
Char
Bhaman,
Khair

A large number of flowering trees are found at Pench. Some of the herbs include wild tulsi, touch me not, goat weed and little glory to name a few. Bamboo is found in hill slopes but is not abundant.

Earlier in the park accommodation was available only in the forest rest house within the core area. After some time more rooms where built nearby. But all these rooms were subject to availability with preference going to public sector employees.

Gradually as tourism increased more accommodations began to come up. Initially only budget hotels were established. Later on luxury resorts at Pench with modern amenities were established. The tourism increased four fold in the nineties and consequently the accommodations also increased.

All the hotels in Pench National Park are situated in the periphery near the Turia Gate. The tariff ranges from budget to five star that are owned by big hotel chains. Most of the resorts arrange tiger safaris and also assist in gate bookings for excursions.