Pench Tiger Reserve | India’s first and Asia’s fifth Dark Sky Park

Pench Tiger Reserve nestles in the lower southern reaches of the Satpura Hills and significantly protects tigers and other wildlife in central India. The Pench Tiger Reserve, spread across Madhya Pradesh (Seoni and Chhindwara districts) and Maharashtra (Nagpur district), is named after the Pench River. Pench Tiger Reserve is primarily spread across two main districts:

Seoni District: A significant portion of the reserve, including the well-known Turia gate, falls within this district of Madhya Pradesh. The administrative headquarters of the Tiger Reserve are also located in Seoni.
Chhindwara District: Another substantial part of the reserve in Madhya Pradesh extends into the Chhindwara district.

Additionally, a portion of the Pench Tiger Reserve also lies in the Nagpur District of Maharashtra.

Table of Content

Location
Area
History
Flora and Fauna
Tourism

Location

Madhya Pradesh: The major part of the reserve lies in the Seoni and Chhindwara districts, with core area coordinates around 21∘41′35′′N and 79∘14′54′′E.
Maharashtra: Some parts of the reserve extend into the Nagpur district.
The Pench River, flowing from north to south, divides this important wildlife habitat into two parts (eastern and western).
The Meghdoot Dam on the Pench River has created a large reservoir that extends into both Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. This 72 sq km water body, of which 54 sq km is in Madhya Pradesh and the rest in Maharashtra, serves as an important water source within the Pench Tiger Reserve, attracting diverse wildlife and aquatic birds and enhancing the ecological significance of the area.

Area

Total Protected Area: Approximately 1179.63 sq km in Madhya Pradesh and 741.2 sq km in Maharashtra.
Core Area: 411.33 sq km in Madhya Pradesh and 257.3 sq km in Maharashtra.
Buffer Area: 768.3 sq km in Madhya Pradesh and 483.96 sq km in Maharashtra.

History

The area’s rich biodiversity has been documented since the 16th century.
In 1977, the Pench area was declared a sanctuary covering 449.392 sq km.
In 1983, it was declared a National Park with a core area of 292.857 sq km, while 118.473 sq km remained a sanctuary.
In 1992, with the inclusion of Pench under Project Tiger, it became the 19th tiger reserve of India.
The sanctuary was officially notified in 1998.
In 2002 the national park was renamed as Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park and the sanctuary was renamed as Pench Mowgli Sanctuary.
The core and buffer zones were demarcated in 2007 and 2010, respectively.
While the Pench Tiger Reserve is widely believed to be the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book”, Kipling never actually visited the area. Local legends and the capture of a wolf-boy in the Seoni area in 1831 are linked to the story of Mowgli.

Flora and Fauna

The reserve boasts tropical moist deciduous forests mixed with dry deciduous forests, including teak, salai, bija, haldu, and bamboo.
It is rich in wildlife, including the Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Indian Wolf, Dhole (Wild Dog), Sloth Bear, Gaur, Nilgai, Sambar, Chital, Four-horned Antelope, Wild Boar, and various other mammals.
Pench is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 300 species of resident and migratory birds.
Here, you can also find reptiles like cobras, pythons, and the Indian krait.

Tourism

The core area is generally accessible for tourism from October to June. The buffer areas might remain open year-round.
Safari zones are located in both Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, with different entry gates. Popular zones include Turia, Karmajhiri, Jamtara (in Madhya Pradesh), and Sillari, Khursapar, Kolitmara (in Maharashtra).
Jeep safaris are a common way to explore the park. Some zones also offer canter safaris and night safaris.
Attractions include the Ghursalghat water body (known for tiger and leopard sightings), the Alikata region (for grasslands and vulture sightings), and the scenic Ghogra Mahadev rocks. Recently, activities like hot air balloon rides and paramotoring have started in the buffer areas of Maharashtra.
Pench has also been recognized as India’s first and Asia’s fifth Dark Sky Park, promoting the preservation of natural darkness.
- A Dark Sky Park is a designated area known for its exceptionally dark night skies and commitment to preventing light pollution. These parks are often located in remote areas with minimal artificial lighting, providing visitors with unique views of the stars, planets, and galaxy.