Pench National Park located in lower southern region of the satpuda hills. The name Pench National Park is based on the river Pench. The flow of river in the park from north to south. It lies on the lower portion of Madhya Pradesh and touches the border of Maharashtra in districts Seoni and Chhindware.
Total Area for Tiger Reserve is 757.89 sq.km. Pench National Park covers and area of 292.85 sq.km. Sanctuary has 118.31 sq.km and the other Forest Area is 346.89 sq.km.
In 1996-97 the India Eco-development project was started with the help of World Bank in Pench National Park. 99 villages around the area of tiger reserve were identified to develop their own resources so as to mitigate the dependency on the project area and in return they will co-operate in tiger proection.
The main entrance gate of the park is at Turia which is 12 km from Khawasa lies on Nagpur Jabalpur NH-7. Khawasa is 80 kms from Nagpur and 190 kms from jabalpur.
The Pench is covered with small hills and well stocked taek and mixed forest. The main flora being Teak (Tectona grandis) , Saja (Terminalia tomentosa), Bija (Pterocarpus marsupium), Lendia, Haldu, Dhaora, Aonla, Amaltas etc. The ground here is covered with a number of grasses, bushes, herbs & shrubs. One can even see dazzling white kullu trees also here scattered around singly in the forest among various hues of green. The old planted trees of Teak and Bamboo gives a different view to the general wilderness.
In the month of december the flow in pench river stops and it is left with only few scenic and serene pools in the river bed in addition there are few perennial springs and tanks also. The pench river is dammed the southern boundary of the park for Pench hydroelectic project at Totladoh. The large reservoir of Pench attracts a number of winter birds from north. Commonly seen grazing on the roadsides and banks of river & reservoir are Cheetal, Sambar, Neelgai. In search of food jackals can be seen anywhere in park. Packs of wilds can also be seen sometimes. During summer months herds of Gaur can be spotted near streams and baboo patches.
Langurs are seen commonly whereas Rhesus monkeys may be seen occassionally. During summer months one can also see Tigers 50 and Leopards on the roads and near water pools of river. They are very shy and there are around 50 tigers and 30 Leopards. There are more than 210 species of birds many of which are migratory and commonly seen here are Pea fowl, Red jungle fowl, Crow pheasant, Crimson breasted barbet, Redvented bulbul, Racket tailed drongo, Magpie robin, Lesser whistling teal.
The nearest railway station is Nagpur and almost all south bound trains stop here. Nearest airport is also Nagpur. One can hire a taxi or take a bus from Nagpur and come to Khawasa which is 80 km from nagpur on Nagpur-Jabalpur NH-7. Same way tourist come from Jabalpur to Khawasa which is 190 kms. One can hire a petrol vehicle or use their own jeep/car from Turia gate which is 12 kms from Khwasa to enter in to the park.
