Pench National Park India

Pench National Park lies at the foot hills of the Satpura range and varies between undulating terrain with small hills. Pench National Park is in fact two parks with the similar name in the neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and also combined with the Pench Wildlife Sanctuary. The total area of the three Reserves lengthens to approximately 1000 sq.km. Pench became a sanctuary in 1977, a National Park in 1983 and came under the Project Tiger Reserve in 1992. The park derives its name from the Pench River that divides it from North to South and also forms as divider between southern Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra . Although after the monsoon this large river 's flow is much reduced following the winter months. The sandy river bed then becomes a pathway for much of the resident wildlife moving between the remaining pools. Open grass meadows and dense forests; primarily teak .

The park has been attracting increasing interest due to a growing tiger population, supported by a healthy gain in ungulate numbers following increased protection of the habitat. There are many other inhabitants, including sloth bear, gaur, Nilgai, wild dog, chausingha, leopard and lesser cats, jackals, rhesus macaque and flying squirrels.Approximately 250 bird species are listed in the park, including winter migrants. Of particular interest are Grey and Malabar Pied Hornbills, Eurasian Thick Knee, White-naped Woodpecker and Oriental Honey Buzzard.