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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 notable residents, including sloth bear, gaur, nilgai,
wild dog, chausingha, leopard and lesser cats, jackals, rhesus
macaque and flying squirrels. The diversity and number of grazing
mammals that can be encountered in mixed herds in the grasslands
and on the forest edge is quite remarkable, Pench is well known
for the excellent chance of sighting Indian bison (gaur) amongst
these herds.
Under the Indian Ecodevelopment Project, started in Pench in 1996,
work is ongoing with around a hundred neighbouring villages to
minimise their dependence on the project area and to help protect
the habitat.
A prime area of the park at the southern boundary was flooded for
a hydroelectric scheme, but the loss of forest has to some extent
been compensated for by the number of migratory birds that are
attracted to the reservoir.
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.
Wildlife viewing is by jeep, with short elephant safaris to view
previously tracked tigers. It can be possible to climb a 'machan',
or observation tower, to wait in the forest quietly looking out
for passing mammals and birds.
The park is open from 1st October to 30th June and although
accommodation is limited there are some good choices, including a
tented camp. The lack of a larger number of lodges, and therefore
other visitors, only adds to the charm of visiting this park.
Being only two hours by road from Nagpur, there is a noticeable
increase in visitor numbers from the city over the weekends.
Nagpur is linked by air or rail with Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta,
there are also overnight trains to Chennai. Pench lies very much
en route to Kanha.
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