Pench National Park

Pench National Park UPSC (Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park) 

The Pench National Park is a large wildlife reserve located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The park is situated on the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh, sharing borders with the neighbouring state of Maharashtra.

The renowned Pench National Park has been immortalized in Rudyard Kipling's classic 1894 story, "The Jungle Book." The book's popularity worldwide helped make the national park a renowned tourist destination in India in the 1970s. 

Table of Contents Location History Area Hills River Lake Tribe Flora Fauna UPSC Questions

Pench National Park Location

Pench National Park is located in Seoni and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh, India. Some parts falling in the neighboring state, Maharashtra. The park lies in the southern lower slopes of the Satpura Range.

Nearest Airport:

The nearest airports to reach Pench National Park is at Nagpur & Jabalpur. Nagpur airport is about 110 kms and Jabalpur Airport is about 215 kms from Pench National Park. 

Nearest Railway Station:

Nearest railway station for reaching Pench by train is at Nagpur city (105 kms) and Jabalpur railway station (200 kms). Both railway station having connectivity with most of the major tourist destinations & cities of India.

Pench National Park History

1. Establishment as a Wildlife Sanctuary: In 1977, Pench was declared a wildlife sanctuary, primarily to protect its tiger population and other wildlife species. The sanctuary covered an area of about 449 square kilometers (173 square miles).

2. Upgrading to National Park: In 1983, Pench Wildlife Sanctuary was upgraded to the status of a national park. This upgrade aimed to provide further protection to the park's flora and fauna and promote conservation efforts.

3. Renamed (Pench National Park New Name): The Pench National Park was later renamed as Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park.

4. Recognition as a Tiger Reserve: In 1992, Pench National Park was designated as a Tiger Reserve under the Project Tiger initiative. This designation aimed to provide enhanced protection to the park's significant tiger population, which is one of the prime attractions for visitors.

 

Pench National Park Area

The Pench National Park is a large wildlife reserve located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, covering an area of approximately 758 square kilometers. 

• Core : 292.85 sq. km.
• Buffer : 465.00 sq. km.
• Total : 757.85 sq. km.

The Pench National Park's terrain is characterized by rugged hills, dense forests, grasslands, and meandering streams, creating a diverse range of habitats for the park's wildlife.

Pench National Park Hills

The Pench National Park is located in the southern lower slopes of the Satpura Range, which is a chain of hills that runs through central India. The hills in and around the park add to the park's natural beauty and provide habitat to a wide range of wildlife species.

The Satpura Range hills in the Pench National Park are a mix of rugged and undulating terrain, characterized by small ridges and steep slopes. 

Satpura Range:

• It is a range of hills in central India. 
• It rises in eastern Gujarat running east through the border of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and ends in Chhattisgarh. 
• The range parallels the Vindhya Range.

Pench National Park River

The Pench National Park name was derived from the Pench River, which runs through the National Park. As it flows from north to south, the river divides the park into equal eastern and western halves. 

The Pench River is an important water source for the wildlife and vegetation in the park. It meanders through the forested areas of the park, creating a diverse range of habitats for the park's wildlife. The river provides water to the dense forests and is a lifeline for many species.

Pench River:

• It originates in the Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh, India.
• Pench River is a tributary of the Kanhan River.
• The Kanhan River is a right bank tributary of the Wainganga River.
• The Meghdoot dam built over Pench River at Totladoh. 

Pench National Park Lake

The Pench National Park is home to various beautiful lake include:

(1) The Kamthikhairy Dam or the Pench Dam:

• Kamthikhairy Dam also called Pench Dam.
• It is an earth-fill dam on the Pench River. 
• It is situated inside the Pench National Park.

(2) Kohka Lake:

• Kohka Lake is located in the Pench National Park. 
• It is a small reservoir.

Pench National Park Tribe

The Pench National Park is located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, and is home to a number of indigenous tribes, including the Gonds, the Baigas, and the Kolams. These tribes have lived in and around the Pench National Park for centuries and have a deep understanding of the local flora and fauna.

(1) Gonds:

The Gonds are the largest tribal community in the Pench National Park and are known for their rich cultural heritage and intricate art forms. 

(2) Baigas:

The Baigas are another indigenous tribe that reside in the park's surrounding areas, and are known for their medicinal knowledge and use of natural herbs.

(3) Kolams:

The Kolams are a smaller tribe that live in the vicinity of the park and are skilled hunters and fishermen. 

Pench National Park Flora 

Pench National Park is a treasure trove of flora, with its rich and varied vegetation providing habitat to numerous wildlife species. Here are some of the prominent flora species found in Pench National Park:

Tree:

• Teak 
• Saja
• Bijiayasal
• Lendia
• Haldu
• Dhaora
• Salai
• Aonla
• Amaltas
• Bamboo
• White Kulu Trees (Ghost Trees)
• Mahua

Herbs:

• Curcumina
• Sarpgandha
• Aswagandha
• Satavar

Pench National Park Fauna (Pench National Park Animals)

Pench National Park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. It is home to a rich variety of fauna, including:

Mammals:

• Tiger
• Leopard
• Jungle Cats
• Sloth Beer
• Wild Dog
• Jackle
• Wolf
• Hyena
• Fox
• Wild Boar
• Langoor
• Monkey
• Indian Gaur (Bison)
• Sambhar
• Barking Deer
• Spotted Deer
• Porcupine

Birds:

• White-eyed Buzzard
• Malabar Pied Hornbill
• Indian Pitta
• Osprey
• Grey-headed Fishing Eagle
• Sarus Crane
• Peafowl
• Red Vented Bulbul
• Crow Pheasant
• Crimson Breasted Barbet
• Red Jungle Fowl
• Racket Tailed Drongo
• Magpie Robin
• Whistling Teal

Reptiles:

• Pythons
• Monitor Lizards
• Crocodiles
• Cobra
• Viper
• Turtles

Pench National Park UPSC Questions

Q. Pench National Park is located in which state?/Where is Pench National Park situated?/Pench National Park in which district?/Pench National Park is located in which city?

A. Pench National Park is located in Seoni and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh, India.

Q. Pench National Park is famous for which animal?

A. Pench National Park is famous for Bengal Tiger.

Q. When was Pench National Park established?

A. Pench National Park was established in 1983.