Pench National Park

The small yet very scenic Pench Tiger Reserve is named after the Pench River, which flows from north to south through the Reserve. The reserve is located in the southern reaches of the Satpura Hills in the Seoni and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh state. The terrain is quite undulating, with most of the area covered by small hills with short but steep slopes.

The Reserve is situated in an area that holds a significant place in the natural history of central India. The description of its natural beauty, richness in flora and fauna has appeared in numerous wildlife books dating back to 17th Century.

The area is criss-crossed by numerous seasonal streams and nalas. The Pench River is dry by the end of April but a number of pools, locally known as dohs are found. These serve as waterholes for wild animals and a few perennial springs also exist in this area.

As the prey concentration, mainly chital, is high along the Pench River, tigers usually inhabit this belt. In contrast leopards generally operate in the peripheral areas but are occasionally seen in deep forests also. Jungle cats are commonly seen. Leopard cats, small Indian civets and palm civets are common but seen very rarely.

Wild dogs are commonly seen in packs of 12 to 15 in the Chhedia, Jamtara, Bodanala and Pyorthadi areas of Pench. Wild boar are ubiquitous.