Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park

The park is located in the Seoni District in southern Madhya Pradesh, on the lower southern slopes of Central India’s Satpura hills. The river Pench flows through Pench Park, dividing the park in half.

In Ain -i-Akbari, its natural wealth and plenty are described. This park’s flora and fauna are also described in numerous natural history books, including R. A. Strendale’s ‘Seonee – Camp life in Satpura Hills,’ Forsyth’s ‘Highlands of Central India,’ and Dunbar Brander’s ‘Wild Animals of Central India,’ and Seonee was the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s famous ‘The Jungle Book.’

The park has historical significance. In 1977, it was designated as the Pench Sanctuary. In 1983, 292.85 square kilometres were designated as Pench National Park, while 118.31 square kilometres remained Pench Sanctuary. Later in 1992, the government designated an area of 757.89 square kilometres, including the National Park and the sanctuary, as the country’s nineteenth Tiger Reserve. The Pench park was renamed Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park in 2002, and the Pench Sanctuary was renamed Mowgli Pench Sanctuary.

Tiger Sansar, which is close to Alikatta and a favourite of tigers, is one of Pench Park’s most intriguing vantage points. Alikatta, the largest elephant camp in the park, is a wonderful spot for wildlife viewing. Pyorthadi is a partially submerged settlement that is frequented by chital and other animals. Sitaghat, one of the most beautiful areas in Pench, is filled with rocks and trees with artistic appearances. Chindimatta, a small hillock, serves as the primary boating base in the park. Karmajhiri – one of the park’s entrances – is a region characterised by several ascents and descents across rugged hills and good vegetation. Raiyakassa – is the location of a watchtower constructed by the park authorities. Bodanala is a worthwhile destination to visit because of its lovely pond, which attracts animals and birds. This cement watchtower provides a magnificent view of the Pench River from its roof. The park administration now offers guests the option to spend the night in this lookout tower. Although the accommodations are fairly poor, it is worthwhile to spend the night here. Bison and occasionally tigers have been observed at this location. The Kalapahad – a region with rocky, boulder-strewn terrain that provides a great habitat for langurs and leopards – is also frequented by bison.

Flora

The park contains southern tropical dry deciduous teak and southern tropical mixed deciduous forest containing several species of shrubs, trees, and climbers. Teak and its allies Achar, Garari, Aonla, Ghont, Baranga, Mokha, Skiras, Tendu, Bija, Achar, Garari, Aonla, Ghont, Baranga, Mokha, Skiras, Tendu, Bija, Achar, Garari, Aonla, Ghont, Baranga, Moyan, Mahua, Amaltas, kihamali, Khair, Palas, Bamboo

Fauna

There are roughly twenty-five tigers in this park. In addition to tigers, a number of endangered animals have found their home in the region. The list includes 39 species of mammals, 13 species of reptiles, and 3 species of amphibians. Barbets, bulbul, minivets, orioles, wagtails, munias, mynas, ducks, and blue kingfishers are frequently spotted among the 210 bird species.