|
INTRODUCTION
The Pench National
Park on the border of Madhya Pradesh and M aharashtra
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.
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.
LOCATION
The park is situated in the Seoni district
of southern Madhya Pradesh and runs in continuation with Pench
National Park of Maharashtra. It is located between latitude
21°40' in the North and longitude 79°15' in the east. It is
connected with an all weather metalled road network to other places
of importance in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
CLIMATE
The climate of this region is tropical with hot
summers and cold winters. Monsoon touches the region in early July
and remain there for the next two months. Winters are the most
comfortable months though it is very difficult to view any exclusive
wildlife during this season.
The best time to visit this park is summer as
many wildlife varieties come outside their natural habitat in search
of water and waterholes in the park provide good views of the
denizens of park.
ATTRACTIONS
Flora
It 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.
Fauna
The park 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.
PLACES NEARBY
Nagpur, the winter capital of Maharashtra, is
situated at a distance of around 93 km from Pench. The main
attractions here include the Sitabuldi Fort, Council Hall, Cathedral
of All Saints, High Court, Raj Bhawan, and Chhatris of the Bhonsle
dynasty.
REACHING THERE
By
Air
Airport - Sonegaon Airport, Nagpur (93 km from
Pench National Park)
Nagpur is the nearest airport connected to Mumbai
and other places by regular flights.
By
Rail
Railway Station - Seoni Railway Station (30 km
from Pench National Park)
Seoni is the nearest railway station connected to
Mumbai and other places in the region by regular trains.
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.
STAYING THERE
Forest Rest Houses are available on rent for the
purpose of accommodation. Prior booking is necessary to reserve
these rest houses. |
