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Pench Tiger Reserve
 Pench National Park
:
292.85 sq km
Sanctuary
:
118.31 sq.km
Other forest Area
:
346.89 sq km
Total Pench Tiger Reserve
:
757.89 sq.km
Location
:
Main Entrance Gate at Turia is 12 kms from Khawasa. Khawasa lies on Nagpur Jabalpur NH-7 just on border of Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra. Khawasa is 80 kms from Nagpur and 190 kms from Jabalpur end.
The Pench National Park is situated on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and is known for the rich flora and fauna it abounds in. The park was named after the river that flows nearby and has been a protected area since 1983. Besides, the Pench National Park is also a part of the Project Tiger programme that
was initiated to protect the fast dwindling tiger population.
The Pench National Park spreads over an area of 758 sq km and is mainly covered by deciduous forests. Situated near the southern reaches of the Satpura range, the Pench National Park mainly consists of small hills and an undulating terrain. The wilds of the Pench National Park abound in a variety of animals that include the tiger, wild dog, Nilgai, muntjac, gaur, the four horned antelope and the wild pig. The Pench National Park is also home to birds like barbets, minivets, orioles, wagtails, blue kingfishers, mynahs and so on. It must also be mentioned that the Pench National Park has another attraction that amazes visitors. Well, it is the 'Kullu Tree' that grows in abundance in the region. It is a type of a gum tree that is conspicuous by its white bark.
The Pench National Park is indeed a great place to visit as part of your wildlife tour to Madhya Pradesh. As you revel in the glory of the jungle and its wild beauty, you surely feel a strange sense of communion with everything around you. Believe us, the Pench National Park adds up to a truly wonderful experience.
 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 favour 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 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, Redvented bulbul, Racket tailed drongo, Magpie robin and lesser whistling teal.
Flora
It is blessed with forests spread in all the direction. As per the physiognomy, the forest type is southern tropical dry deciduous teak and southern tropical mixed deciduous forest with other species of shrubs, trees and climbers. Teak and its associates moyan, mahua, mokha, skiras, tendu, bija, achar, garari, aonla, ghont, baranga, amaltas, kihamali, khair, palas. Bamboo occurs sparsely, restricted to some valley.
 Fauna
The Pench National Park is very rich in fauna and a number of endangered species have made it their habitat. There are 25 tigers under this umbrella of the Park. 39 species of mammals, 13 species of reptiles, 3 species of amphibians and over 170 varieties of birds have already been listed.
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 counts to be over 210 species like barbets, bulbul, minivets orioles, wagtails, munias, mynas, waterfowls and blue kingfishers.
Seasons
October to January - Cold 16* to 3* C
February to March- Cool 16* C to 26* C
April to June- 26 * to 42* C
Park Timings
The Pench National Park is open to the visitors from October 01st to June 30th each year and closed during the rainy seasons (July - Sept.)
How to Reach Pench Tiger Reserve
Nagpur is the nearest rail head and all the south bound trains stop here. Even Nagpur is the nearest airport, one can hire a taxi or board a bus from Nagpur and come to Khawasa which is 80 Km from Nagpur on Nagpur-Jabalpur NH-7. Also Tourist can come similarly from Jabalpur to Khawasa which is 190 kms from Jabalpur. From Khawasa tourist has to hire a petrol vehicle to enter into park through Turia gate which is 12 kms from Khawasa.
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