Pench Tiger Reserve

The Pench Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra), is situated along the northern boundary of Nagpur District, adjoining Seoni and Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh.

The Pench Tiger Reserve along with its surrounding forests of Nagpur forest division constitutes one of the four prime areas in Maharashtra State supporting viable Tiger population. The Reserve is rich in natural features like Nagdeo Pahadi, Ambakhori Waterfall (seasonal), Totaladoh Dam,Meghdoot Jalashaya (Pond) etc. Ghuggusgarh Fort is situated on the western bank of river Pench.

Prior to re-organisation of State, in the Pench Tiger Reserve area, shooting block system was initiated in 1927. The Bombay Wild Animals and Wild Birds Act, 1951 was extended to Vidarbha Region from 1.6.1961, which prescribed a closed season between 1st of April to 31st of October every year for hunting and also prescribed registration of arm license holders with the Wildlife Preservation Officer. The area was declared as Pench National Park by the Government of Maharashtra vide notification no. R&F.D./1395/212768/F-1 dated 22/11/ 1975 with an area of 257.26 km2. Government of India declared the area as Pench Tiger
Reserve vide notification no.III(I)-25/98-PT dated 11.2.1999. This was reinforced with Government of Maharashtra declaration of Pench National Park as Pench Tiger Reserve vide resolution no.WLP-1095/CR-110/F-1 dated 23.2.1999.

The Pench Tiger reserve has a greater ecological significance as it represents floral and faunal wealth pertaining to the biotic province -6E-Central Highlands and its sub division - the Satpuda Maikal landscape.

It is known for sites and places of unique nature and scenic beauty as well as religious and cultural significance for local people, besides being sites of unique bio-geographical, geomorphologic, wildlife and biodiversity significance.

Pench Tiger Reserve has the potential to serve as 'the ultimate destination of eco-tourist and visitors' of the region as well as visitors from other areas, including the foreign visitors.

Forest Types of the Reserve are: Dry Teak Bearing Forest, Southern Dry Deciduous Mixed Forests. The main floral species to be found in the Reserve are: Hardwickia binata, Chloroxylon swietenia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Adina cordifolia, Terminalia leucophloea, Mitragayna parviflora, Acacia catechu, Dolichandrone falcata, Madhaca longifolia, Scherbera swieteniodes, Butea monosperma, Soymida febrifuga, Tectona grandis, Terminalia
tomentosa, Dalbergia latifolia, Diospyros melanoxylon, Ougenia ogeinensis

Major fauna of the Reserve includes Presbytis entelius, Canis aureus, Canis alpinus, Melursus ursinus, Herpestes edwardsi, Hyaena hyaena, Panthera tigris, Panthera pardus, Felis chaus, Sus scrofa, Axis axis, Cervus unicolor, Muntiacus muntjak, Bos gaurus,
Boselaphus tragocamelus, Tetraceros quadricornis, Ratufa indica and Hystrix indica.