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{{Short description|National Park in India (Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra)}}
{{Short description|National park in Madhya Pradesh, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{More citations needed|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox protected area
{{Infobox protected area
| name     = Pench National Park
| name = Pench National Park
| iucn_category =II
| iucn_category = II
| alt_name = Indira Priyadarshni National Park  
| alt_name = Indira Priyadarshini National Park
| location = [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[India]]
| image = Pench Safari.jpg
| image_caption = Landscape in Pench National Park
| mapframe-zoom = 9
| location = {{ubl|[[Seoni District]] and [[Chhindwara district]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], India}}
| nearest_city = [[Seoni]]
| nearest_city = [[Seoni]]
| map = India Madhya Pradesh
| map = India Madhya Pradesh#India Maharashtra#India
| map_caption =  
| map_caption =  
| area = {{convert|257.26|km2|abbr=on}}<ref name=wdpa>{{cite web |author=World Database on Protected Areas |year=2019 |title=Pench National Park |website=Protected Planet |url=https://www.protectedplanet.net/pench-national-park}}</ref>
| area = {{cvt|292.85|km2}}<ref name=Kasambe/>
| governing_body = State Forest Department
| governing_body = State Forest Department
| coordinates = {{coord|21|40|17.76|N|79|18|11.88|E|format=dms|display=inline, title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|21|40|17.76|N|79|18|11.88|E|format=dms|display=inline, title}}
| established =1975
| established = {{ubl|1977 as wildlife sanctuary |1983 as national park}}
| visitation_num =  
| visitation_num =  
| visitation_year =  
| visitation_year =  
| website = {{URL|https://www.penchtiger.co.in|penchtiger.co.in}}
| website = [https://www.penchnationalpark.in/ penchnationalpark.in]
| visitation_ref =
| visitation_ref =  
| relief = y
| mapframe = Yes
}}
}}
'''Pench National Park''' is a [[national park]] in [[India]]'s [[Madhya Pradesh]] state, established in 1975 with an area of {{convert|257.26|km2|abbr=on}}.<ref name=wdpa/> It includes [[Pench Tiger Reserve]] and derives its name from the [[Pench River]] that flows through the park from north to south dividing the park into almost equal western and eastern halves, the well-forested areas of [[Seoni]] and [[Chhindwara]] districts respectively. It was declared a sanctuary in 1965, raised to the status of national park in 1975 and enlisted as a tiger reserve in 1992.
In 1983 it was declared as National Park.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.penchtiger.co.in/past_history.html | title=Penchtiger.co.in }}</ref>


The national park consists of dry deciduous forests and much fauna and flora including [[tigers]], various types of [[deer]] and birds.<ref>{{cite web |title=Birds of Pench |url=https://www.inditales.com/birds-of-pench-national-park-photography/ |website=www.inditales.com |date=22 August 2016 |access-date=5 March 2019}}</ref> In 2011, the park won the "Best Management Award".{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} This park is accessible from Pauni on National Highway 7 and has two famous entry gates, Turiya and Karmajhiri.<ref>{{cite web |title=Experiences at Pench national park – a blog |url=https://imvoyager.com/pench-national-park-india/ |website=www.imvoyager.com |date=15 October 2018 |access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref>
'''Pench National Park''' is a [[national park]] in the [[India]]n state of [[Madhya Pradesh]]. It was created in 1983 with an area of {{cvt|292.85|km2}} in the [[Seoni district|Seoni]] and [[Chhindwara district]]s. Since 1992, it forms the core area of [[Pench Tiger Reserve]].<ref name=Kasambe>{{cite journal |author1=Kasambe, R. |author2=Wadatkar, J. |author3=Wagh, J. |author4=Dudhe, N. |author5=Khan, N. |year=2016 |title=Bird Survey in Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh |journal=Newsletter for Birdwatchers |volume=56 |issue=3 |pages=27–29 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Raju-Kasambe/publication/313648659}}</ref>


== History ==
[[File:TigressofPTR.jpg|thumb|Late Collarwali]]
The area of the present Pench Tiger Reserve has been described in ''[[Ain-i-Akbari]]'', and is the setting of [[Rudyard Kipling]]'s ''[[The Jungle Book]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mptourism.com/inner-page/destination/pench.html|title=MPT – Madhya Pradesh Tourisum|website=www.mptourism.com|access-date=2016-06-11}}</ref>
== Geography==
== Geography==
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2021}}
Pench National Park encompasses {{cvt|299|km2}} in the [[Seoni district]] and [[Chhindwara district]] of [[Madhya Pradesh]].<ref name=Kasambe/> The [[Pench River]] and numerous small streams flow through the national park, which forms the core area of [[Pench Tiger Reserve]]. The temperature in this region varies from {{cvt|-2|C}} in winter to {{cvt|49.5|C}} in summer, and mean yearly rainfall is {{cvt|1400|mm}}.<ref name=Biswas2002>{{cite journal |author1=Biswas, S. |author2=Sankar, K. |year=2002 |title=Prey abundance and food habit of tigers (''Panthera tigris tigris'') in Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India |journal=Journal of Zoology |volume=256 |issue=3 |pages=411–420 |doi=10.1017/s0952836902000456}}</ref> Its elevation ranges from {{cvt|425|to|620|m}}.{{cn|date=November 2025}}
Pench National Park comprises {{cvt|758|km2}}, of which {{cvt|299|km2}} form the park's core area and Mowgli Pench Sanctuary. The remaining {{cvt|464|km2}} form the [[buffer zone]]. Elevation ranges from {{cvt|425|to|620|m}}. The protected area is covered with small hills and [[teak]] mixed forest in the southern reaches of the [[Satpura Range]]. The temperature varies from {{cvt|4|C|F|abbr=on}} in December to {{cvt|42|C|F}} in May. Average rainfall is {{cvt|1300|mm}}.


== Vegetation ==
== Vegetation ==
The forest cover in the park area includes [[Tectona grandis|teak]] mixed with other species like [[Terminalia tomentosa|saja]], [[Pterocarpus marsupium|bijiayasal]], [[Lagerstroemia parviflora|lendia]], [[Haldina cordifolia|haldu]], [[Anogeissus latifolia|dhaora]], [[Boswellia serrata|salai]], [[Emblica officinalis|amla]], [[Cassia fistula|amaltas]]. The ground is covered with maze of [[grasses]], plants, bushes and saplings. [[Bamboo]] is also found at places. Scattered [[Sterculia urens|white kulu]] trees, also referred to as 'ghost tree', stand out conspicuously among the various hues of green. Another important tree for both wildlife and tribal people of this region is [[madhuca longifolia|mahua]]. The flowers of this tree are eaten by mammals and birds, and also harvested by the tribal people as food and to brew [[beer]].
The forest in the park consists of [[dry deciduous forest]]s, and the tree includes [[Tectona grandis|teak]] mixed with other species like [[Terminalia tomentosa|saja]], [[Pterocarpus marsupium|bijiayasal]], [[Lagerstroemia parviflora|lendia]], [[Haldina cordifolia|haldu]], [[Anogeissus latifolia|dhaora]], [[Boswellia serrata|salai]], [[Emblica officinalis|amla]], [[Cassia fistula|amaltas]], [[madhuca longifolia|mahua]], and [[Sterculia urens|white kulu]]. The ground is covered with a maze of [[grasses]], plants, bushes, and saplings. [[Bamboo]] is also found at places.<ref name="NewIndianExpress2024">{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/travel/2024/Jul/13/crouching-tiger-at-hidden-rukhad|title=Crouching tiger at hidden Rukhad|publisher=[[New Indian Express]]|date=15 July 2024|access-date=9 January 2025}}</ref>


== Wildlife ==
== Wildlife ==
The park is home to around 40 [[Bengal tiger]]s, 39 species of mammal, 13 species of reptile, 3 species of amphibian.{{cn|date=June 2021}}
Pench National Park is home to diverse flora and fauna, which includes over 40 species of mammals, 13 species of reptiles, and more than 210 bird species.<ref name="TimesofIndia2025">{{cite web|title=6 reasons why Pench National Park is such a hit among wildlife lovers|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/6-reasons-why-pench-national-park-is-such-a-hit-among-wildlife-lovers/photostory/116995643.cms|website=[[Times of India]]|date=6 January 2025|access-date=8 January 2025}}</ref> It hosts snake species such as [[cobras]], [[pythons]], and the [[Indian krait]].<ref name="BusinessInsider2021">{{Cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/article/apart-from-the-big-cat-the-pench-tiger-reserve-in-madhya-pradesh-flaunts-a-variety-of-fabulous-residents/articleshow/81374258.cms|title=Apart from the big cat, the Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh flaunts a variety of fabulous residents|publisher=[[Business Insider]]|date=7 March 2021|access-date=8 January 2025}}</ref>


Commonly seen [[wildlife]] is [[chital]], [[sambar (deer)|sambar]], [[nilgai]], [[wild boar]], and [[jackal]]. Also [[Indian leopard]], [[sloth bear]], [[indian wolf]], [[Dhole|wild dog]], [[porcupine]], monkeys, [[jungle cat]], [[fox]], [[striped hyena]], [[gaur]], [[four-horned antelope]] and [[barking deer]] live in the park.
===Mammals===
[[File:Leopard at Pench.jpg|thumb|A leopard in Pench forest]]
[[File:Karmazari Pench National Park 1.jpg|thumb|A tiger in Pench National Park]]
Mammal species in Pench National Park include [[Bengal tiger]], [[Indian leopard]], [[golden jackal]], [[dhole]], [[sloth bear]], [[chital]], [[sambar (deer)|sambar]], [[northern red muntjac]], [[four-horned antelope]], [[gaur]], [[nilgai]], [[chinkara]], [[wild boar]], [[common langur]], [[Rhesus monkey]], [[Indian hare]] and [[Indian porcupine]].<ref name=Biswas2002/>


The park is rich in bird life too. According to an estimate of the wildlife authorities, the park harbours more than 210 species including several [[bird migration|migratory]] ones. Some of them are [[peafowl]], [[junglefowl]], [[crow pheasant]], [[crimson-breasted barbet]], [[red-vented bulbul]], [[racket-tailed drongo]], [[Indian roller]], [[magpie robin]], [[lesser whistling teal]], [[northern pintail|pintail]], [[shoveller]], [[egret]] and [[heron]]s, [[minivet]], [[Oriolus|oriole]], [[wagtail]], [[munia]], [[myna]], [[waterfowl]] and [[common kingfisher]].
===Birds===
 
[[File:Indian grey hornbill at Pench national park (April, 2024) 13.jpg|thumb|[[Indian grey hornbill]] in the tree]]
== Visiting times and nearest station ==
Pench National Park harbours more than 210 bird species including several [[bird migration|migratory]] ones. Some of them are [[Indian peafowl]], [[junglefowl]], [[Indian vulture]], [[crow pheasant]], [[crimson-breasted barbet]], [[red-vented bulbul]], [[racket-tailed drongo]], [[Crested serpent eagle]], [[Nisaetus cirrhatus]], [[Indian roller]], [[magpie robin]], [[lesser whistling teal]], [[northern pintail]], [[shoveller]], [[egret]]s and [[heron]]s, [[minivet]], [[Oriolus|oriole]], [[wagtail]], [[munia]], [[myna]], [[waterfowl]] and [[common kingfisher]].<ref name=Kasambe/><ref name="Inditales2016">{{cite web |title=Birds of Pench |url=https://www.inditales.com/birds-of-pench-national-park-photography/ |work=Inditales |date=2016 |access-date=5 March 2019}}</ref>
The best time to visit the park is between November and May.
The park is open to visitors between 6 am and 10:30 am and between 3 pm and 6 pm. The park remains closed during July, August and September. The park can be accessed by road and railway. The nearest airport, railway station is [[Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport]], [[Nagpur]] and closest city is [[Seoni]], bus can be taken to the park. Turiya is the nearest highway stop near Pench.
Open jeep safaris are allowed from each of the gates twice in a day, with a fixed quota for each gate, for each schedule. Elephant safaris used to be conducted at one time, but have been discontinued these days.


== In popular culture ==
== In popular culture ==
Pench National Park is one of many places that may have inspired [[Rudyard Kipling]]'s ''[[The Jungle Book]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/tours/The-Jungle-Book-5-best-tours-to-Kiplings-India/|title=The Jungle Book: 5 best tours to Rudyard Kipling's India|last=Andres|first=T. |work=The Telegraph|date=2016|access-date=11 December 2017}}</ref>


Pench forest reserve, is one of the places that may have inspired [[Rudyard Kipling]]'s ''[[The Jungle Book]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/tours/The-Jungle-Book-5-best-tours-to-Kiplings-India/|title=The Jungle Book: 5 best tours to Rudyard Kipling's India|last=Andres|first=Trisha|work=The Telegraph|date=15 April 2016|access-date=11 December 2017}}</ref>
The national park served as a filming location for the BBC documentary series [[Tiger: Spy in the Jungle]], narrated by [[David Attenborough]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Sharanya Hrishikesh |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60020410|title=Collarwali: Remembering India's 'super mum' tigress |publisher=BBC News|date=18 January 2022|access-date=8 January 2025}}</ref>
 
The Pench National Park provided the location used by the BBC for the innovative wildlife series ''[[Tiger: Spy in the Jungle]]'', a three-part documentary narrated by [[David Attenborough|Sir David Attenborough]] which used concealed cameras, placed by elephants, in order to capture intimate tiger behavior and also retrieved footage of various other fauna in the reserve. The programme aired for the first time in March 2008 and ended a month later.


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Pench National Park}}
*{{cite web |url=https://mpforest.co.in/pench-national-park-safari.html |title=Discover Pench Wildlife |publisher=Pench National Park}}


{{National Parks of India}}
{{National Parks of India}}

Latest revision as of 08:31, 24 February 2026


Pench National Park
Indira Priyadarshini National Park
Map showing the location of Pench National Park
Map showing the location of Pench National Park
Map showing the location of Pench National Park
Map showing the location of Pench National Park
Location
Nearest citySeoni
Coordinates21°40′17.76″N 79°18′11.88″E / 21.6716000°N 79.3033000°E / 21.6716000; 79.3033000
Area292.85 km2 (113.07 sq mi)[1]
Established
  • 1977 as wildlife sanctuary
  • 1983 as national park
Governing bodyState Forest Department
Websitepenchnationalpark.in

Pench National Park is a national park in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It was created in 1983 with an area of 292.85 km2 (113.07 sq mi) in the Seoni and Chhindwara districts. Since 1992, it forms the core area of Pench Tiger Reserve.[1]

Geography[edit | edit source]

Pench National Park encompasses 299 km2 (115 sq mi) in the Seoni district and Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh.[1] The Pench River and numerous small streams flow through the national park, which forms the core area of Pench Tiger Reserve. The temperature in this region varies from −2 °C (28 °F) in winter to 49.5 °C (121.1 °F) in summer, and mean yearly rainfall is 1,400 mm (55 in).[2] Its elevation ranges from 425 to 620 m (1,394 to 2,034 ft).[citation needed]

Vegetation[edit | edit source]

The forest in the park consists of dry deciduous forests, and the tree includes teak mixed with other species like saja, bijiayasal, lendia, haldu, dhaora, salai, amla, amaltas, mahua, and white kulu. The ground is covered with a maze of grasses, plants, bushes, and saplings. Bamboo is also found at places.[3]

Wildlife[edit | edit source]

Pench National Park is home to diverse flora and fauna, which includes over 40 species of mammals, 13 species of reptiles, and more than 210 bird species.[4] It hosts snake species such as cobras, pythons, and the Indian krait.[5]

Mammals[edit | edit source]

A leopard in Pench forest
A tiger in Pench National Park

Mammal species in Pench National Park include Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, golden jackal, dhole, sloth bear, chital, sambar, northern red muntjac, four-horned antelope, gaur, nilgai, chinkara, wild boar, common langur, Rhesus monkey, Indian hare and Indian porcupine.[2]

Birds[edit | edit source]

Indian grey hornbill in the tree

Pench National Park harbours more than 210 bird species including several migratory ones. Some of them are Indian peafowl, junglefowl, Indian vulture, crow pheasant, crimson-breasted barbet, red-vented bulbul, racket-tailed drongo, Crested serpent eagle, Nisaetus cirrhatus, Indian roller, magpie robin, lesser whistling teal, northern pintail, shoveller, egrets and herons, minivet, oriole, wagtail, munia, myna, waterfowl and common kingfisher.[1][6]

In popular culture[edit | edit source]

Pench National Park is one of many places that may have inspired Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book.[7]

The national park served as a filming location for the BBC documentary series Tiger: Spy in the Jungle, narrated by David Attenborough.[8]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Kasambe, R.; Wadatkar, J.; Wagh, J.; Dudhe, N.; Khan, N. (2016). "Bird Survey in Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh". Newsletter for Birdwatchers. 56 (3): 27–29.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Biswas, S.; Sankar, K. (2002). "Prey abundance and food habit of tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) in Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India". Journal of Zoology. 256 (3): 411–420. doi:10.1017/s0952836902000456.
  3. ↑ "Crouching tiger at hidden Rukhad". New Indian Express. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  4. ↑ "6 reasons why Pench National Park is such a hit among wildlife lovers". Times of India. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  5. ↑ "Apart from the big cat, the Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh flaunts a variety of fabulous residents". Business Insider. 7 March 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  6. ↑ "Birds of Pench". Inditales. 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  7. ↑ Andres, T. (2016). "The Jungle Book: 5 best tours to Rudyard Kipling's India". The Telegraph. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  8. ↑ Sharanya Hrishikesh (18 January 2022). "Collarwali: Remembering India's 'super mum' tigress". BBC News. Retrieved 8 January 2025.

External links[edit | edit source]

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