Pench National Park Maharashtra India

The Pench National Park on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra has been known through the ages for its rich flora and fauna. Named after the river that flows nearby, Pench National Park was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1983, though it had been declared a notified area in 1972.

Pench National Park is the 25th 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.

In summer the river retains water in pools strewn along its bed, locally known as 'Doh'. To the east lies Golia Pahar about 670m above the main sea level, which is the highest hill in Nagpur district.

Pench National Park is southern topical dry deciduous forest and is a home to a variety of trees and wild animals. Main trees species found over here are Anjan, Bhirra, Bija, Hirda, Kalam, Khair, Medsing, Moha, Mokha, Palas, Rohan, Tick and Shisham, Tendu, and Tiwas. The main shrubs found in this area are Bharati, Dudhi, Ghaneri, Nirgudi, Phetra, Bamboo, Katang Bamboo, Kusal. The undergrowth consists of Divali, Gajargawat, Goakru, Rantulsi, Tarota and Marvel. Sabai and Thikhadi are the main grasses. Eroni, Gunj, Gulvel and Khobarvel are main climbers.

The Pench National Park is open to visitors between 6 AM to 10:30AM in the morning and 3 PM to 6 PM in the evening. The Pench National Park remains closed during the months of July, August and September. It can be accessed by road as well as railway. The nearest rail-head is at Ramtek and a bus can be taken for the next 35 km to the Park. Other important natural forests in Maharashtra like the Nagzira Sanctuary and the Navegaon National Park are also close to Pench. Hotels in Mumbai