By: David H.
Submitted: 2011-09-14 10:06:49 | Word Count: 611
nch National Park or the Indira Priyadarshini PEnch National Park I slocated in the lower southern reaches of Satpuda Hills in the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh.It is so named after the river Pench that flows through the park.
The park covers an area of 758 square kilometers out of which 299 square kilometers is the core zone of the park and the Mowgli Wildlife Sanctuary and the remaining 464 square kilometers forms the buffer area.
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The National Park is a fine mix of dry deciduous and moist tropical deciduous forest and is enriched wioth a variety of beautiful shrubs and climbers.Large shady trees like the Teak, Mahua, Tendu, Bija, Amaltas and Palash also add to the beauty of the forest.The various water bodies are dotted and lined with large groups of bamboo grass.
Pench forest is home to a number of endangered species of wild animals.Apart from the tiger, there are leopards, wolf, jungle cat, Indian wild dog, wild boar, hyena, various species of deer as well as langur (monkeys) who reside here harmoniously.
Pench is one of the best locations for bird watching.Nearly 300 species of avian fill up the sky of this jungle.The other faunal species found in the jungle include 50 species of fishes, 10 amphibians, 30 reptiles, 45 butterflies, 54 moths and numerous other insects.
The National Park is also the land that inspired Rudyard Kipling to write the all time favorite "Jungle Book".He was a great lover of jungles and he had once aptly said "The jungle speaks to me because I know how to listen."
One can really get the feeling of being with Sher Khan and Bagheera while in the park.One can never forget the antics of the pint-sized boy Mowgli who is brought up in this jungle.The Pench National Park is one of the few places where the King of the Jungle shows his obvious presence to the enthralled audience and that too very easily.
Thus it was the best setting that Rudyard Kipling could have had for his book.Apart from this, the park has also been on the television acouple of years back.Sir David Attenborough narrated a three part documentary for BBC which was part of the innovative wild life series "Tiger: Spy in the Jungle" and was focused on big the wild cats.The behavior of the tigers was captured through concealed cameras, sometimes placed on elephants, to get the most natural shots of the majestic wild beast.
The Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park is open for guests during the months of November to June end.It is best to visit the place in the summer months as this leaves scope for better viewing of the wild life.
The nearest rail head for the park is at Nagpur which is at a distance of 80 kilometers.Besides this, visitors can also take a flight from Nagpur or a bus to the park.There is an all weather metalloid road which leads to the park.
There is a good accommodation facility at the park.The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation has a Pench Jungle Camp which provides canvas tents and air-conditioned rooms.Apart from this, the Taj Group of Hotels also runs Baghvan Lodge which is located near to the entrance of the park.It provides cottages for staying and also has a main dining area and lounge.
Thus, the land of the majestic Bengal Tiger is as enchanting as can be imagined.The Pench National Park is one of the most beautiful and unique places in that one can easily spot this wild beast and also enjoy the true spirit of the jungle with the multiple colored bird species.
