Pench - Pench Jungle Camp
The Pench National Park lies among the southern valleys of the Satpura ranges
in the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India. The major town located nearest
to the park is Nagpur, Which is 95 km away.
The park covers an area of 292.85 sq km but if combined with the neighboring
forest area of the Mowgli Pench Sanctuary (118.31 sq km) and the buffer zone
(346.73 sq km), they total up to an area of 757.89 sq km to form what is known
as the Pench Tiger Reserve. 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. The area is crisscrossed
by a number of streams and 'nallahs' most of which are seasonal.
Though the Pench River dries up in April end, a number of water pools locally
known as 'dohs' are found which serve as water holes for the wild animals. The
Pench Reservoir at the center of the park is the only major water source during
the pinch period.
As a prey concentration is high along the Pench River, tiger usually inhabits
frequents this belt. Leopard though generally operates in the peripheral areas
but are occasionally seen in the deep forest also. Jungle cats are commonly
seen. Leopard cats, small Indian civets and palm civets are common but seen
rarely.
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 beer occupy hilly, rocky out crops and favor mahul bel infested
forest. Chnkara 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
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, Red vented bulbul, Racket tailed drongo,
Magpie robin and lesser whistling teal.
Location :
Pench National Park is situated in the Seoni District of Southern Madhya Pradesh
and runs in continuation with Pench National Park in Maharashtra. It is situated
80 Kms from Nagpur. (2 hours of drive) and is well connected by an all weather
metalloid road network to other important places in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The nearest railhead of Nagpur (80 Kms.) serves as a comfortable air and railhead.
How to reach Pench Jungle Camp :
» By Air - Airport - Sonegaon Airport, Nagpur (92 kms.
from the Pench National Park). Nagpur is the nearest airport connected to Delhi
& Mumbai and other places by regular flights.
» By Rail - Nagpur (92 kms.) is the nearest railway station
connected to Delhi & Mumbai and other places in the region by regular trains.
Jabalpur (192 kms.) also serves as a convenient railhead connected to Delhi
and other parts of the country. Numerous Rajdhani Express trains from Delhi
conveniently connect to Nagpur like, the Delhi- Chennai, Delhi- Bangalore &
Delhi- Bilaspur trains.
