For many years, Africa has been regarded as definitive destination for wild life spotting and justifiably so. However in recent years it is realized that natural wealth of Indian sub-continent offers a fascinating complement to that of Africa. Tropical Asia after all houses the richest diversity of life forms on the face of the earth and the Indian peninsula might be considered the corner stone of this Eden.

Pench National Park of Indira Priyadarshini Pench Tiger Reserve is located on the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh in district of Seoni. It derives its name from River Pench flowing south to north virtually dividing the park in two. Damming the river has created a huge 54 sq.km. reservoir in south central part of the park. The total area of the park is 758 sq.km. with core area of 292.85 sq.km. The terrain is undulating, many hills and hillocks dot the area amidst valleys, meadows and marshes. The reserve is forested with tropical dry and moist deciduous forests interspersed with grass lands. Though 'Pench' was declared Sanctuary in 1977, National Park in 1983 and Tiger Reserve in 1992, its natural wealth and richness appear 400 years ago in the 'Ain-I-Akbari' (Abul Fazal's famed account of Akbar's court). In 19th century, author Rudyard Kipling's "Jungle Book" immortalized these forests. In fact Kipling has even penned a poem "hunting songs of the seeonee pack" after this area of Pench. These pristine forests are now open for pleasure, participatory appraisal and research.

Experience a little bit of heaven on earth !