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Pench Tiger Reserve
Pench Tiger Reserve is a wildlife reserve located in the Seoni and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh, India, and Nagpur district of Maharashtra, India. The reserve covers an area of approximately 1,200 square kilometers and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, Indian bison, and several species of deer.
The Pench Tiger Reserve is named after the Pench River that flows through the park. It was established in 1992 and became a part of the Project Tiger scheme in 1993. The park is divided into two parts, the core area and the buffer zone. The core area is strictly protected and access is restricted, while the buffer zone is open to tourists and serves as a buffer between the core area and the surrounding human settlements.
The Pench Tiger Reserve is known for its high population of tigers, and it has been featured in several documentaries and television shows, including the BBC’s “Tiger: Spy in the Jungle.” The reserve also has a rich cultural heritage, with several ancient temples and historic forts located within its boundaries.
Read about: Tiger Reserves in India
Pench Tiger Reserve Landscape
Pench Tiger Reserve is located in a region that is characterized by undulating hills, mountains, and rivers. The Satpura Range, which runs parallel to the reserve, forms the northern boundary of the park. The hills and mountains in the area are rugged and covered with dense forests that are home to a variety of flora and fauna.
The Pench River, after which the reserve is named, flows through the park and is a lifeline for the wildlife in the area. The river is fed by several tributaries, and during the monsoon season, it swells to form a vast network of interconnected water bodies, creating a unique wetland ecosystem.
Apart from the Pench River, the reserve also has several other water bodies, including streams, lakes, and ponds. These water bodies provide a source of drinking water for wildlife and attract a variety of bird species to the area.
Read about: Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Pench Tiger Reserve Map
Here is a Map of Pench Tiger Reserve given below:
Pench Tiger Reserve Fauna
The Pench Tiger Reserve is home to a diverse range of fauna, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
| Fauna | Description |
| Mammals | Pench Tiger Reserve is known for its high population of tigers, but it is also home to other mammals such as leopards, sloth bears, Indian bison, wild dogs, jungle cats, hyenas, jackals, and several species of deer, including sambar, spotted deer, and barking deer. Other mammals found in the reserve include Indian giant squirrels, black-naped hares, langurs, and macaques. |
| Birds | The reserve is also home to a variety of bird species, with over 200 species recorded in the area. Some of the notable bird species found in the reserve include peafowl, Indian roller, racket-tailed drongo, jungle owlet, crested serpent eagle, and grey-headed fishing eagle. During the winter months, the reserve also attracts several migratory bird species. |
| Reptiles | The Pench Tiger Reserve is home to several reptile species, including various species of snakes such as cobra, krait, rat snake, and python. Other reptiles found in the reserve include crocodiles, monitor lizards, and several species of turtles and tortoises. |
| Amphibians | The reserve is also home to several species of amphibians, including frogs, toads, and salamanders. |
| Invertebrates | Finally, the reserve has a rich diversity of invertebrates, including various species of butterflies, moths, beetles, spiders, and insects. |
Read about: Sariska Tiger Reserve
Pench Tiger Reserve Flora
Pench Tiger Reserve is home to a diverse range of flora, which includes various types of trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses.
| Flora | Description |
| Trees | The reserve is primarily covered with dry deciduous forests, which consist of several tree species such as teak, sal, tendu, mahua, and jamun. Other tree species found in the reserve include bamboo, arjun, aonla, and custard apple. |
| Shrubs | Several species of shrubs are found in the reserve, including lantana, cassia, and thorny acacias. |
| Herbs | The reserve has a rich diversity of herbaceous plants, including a variety of grasses and wildflowers. Some of the notable herb species found in the reserve include Indian gooseberry, harra, kachnar, and bel. |
| Aquatic vegetation | The reserve’s water bodies, including the Pench River, are home to several species of aquatic vegetation, such as water hyacinth, lotus, and water lilies. |
| Medicinal plants | Several species of medicinal plants are also found in the reserve, such as aloe vera, neem, tulsi, and ashwagandha. |
Read about: Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
Pench Tiger Reserve Tourism
Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra offers jungle safaris, bird watching, nature walks, village visits, and photography opportunities. Visitors can explore the natural habitat of tigers and other wildlife species, and observe over 210 species of birds. The best time to visit is between October and June. Pench Tiger Reserve can be reached by air, rail, and road. The nearest airports are Nagpur and Jabalpur, and the nearest railway stations are Nagpur and Chhindwara. Buses and taxis are available from nearby cities to the reserve.
Read about: Periyar Tiger Reserve
Pench Tiger Reserve UPSC
The Pench Tiger Reserve is a renowned wildlife destination in India and is an important topic under the environment and ecology section in the UPSC Syllabus. UPSC may ask questions related to Pench Tiger Reserve in both prelims and mains as it is a significant instance of government’s environmental conservation initiatives, which adds to its relevance for the exam. To gain a better understanding of effective UPSC exam preparation, one can explore the official StudyIQ UPSC Online Coaching website. Additionally, the website offers UPSC Mock Test for Prelims 2023, providing an opportunity to evaluate your level of preparation for the exam.
Read about: Pench National Park
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