Searching for Tigers in the Land of Mowgli the Wolf Child
Kipling’s craftily woven esoteric tales of India’s wilderness involving the charismatic wild animals will never be lost to the World. The storybook “Jungle Book” has literarily become an epic. No wonder! The esoteric tale of an enigmatic child living among the wolves has been filmed and has reached a global audience. The naked child who roamed the forests of Seoni Hills in Central India with a pack of wolves fascinates one and all.
Seoni Hills are part of the Central Indian tiger landscape. They are now designated as protected areas under the Project Tiger Program. Although the forests have shrunk a substantial chunk is conserved as Pench Tiger Reserve by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in collaboration with the Central Government.
As late as the 20th Century wilderness was extensive and road travelers to Nagpur frequently came across tigers, leopards, deer and bison. They still do but quite infrequently. The wilderness has shrunk and the number of wild animals has been drastically reduced.
Pench Tiger Reserve
Under the Protected Area concept around 700 sq. km of pristine forests is now protected as core area. This core area is inviolate and no commercial activities take place. The protected forests are now part of two states the Maharashtra State and the State of Madhya Pradesh. The whole area is known as Central India and is rich in biodiversity and it is recognized as a tiger landscape world over.
As a matter of fact, Pench is one of the finest tiger landscapes in India. It is home to Central Indian Mammals including the rare and endangered wolf. Besides the big cats, the destination is home to the Indian wolf, Sambar, sloth bear, Nilgai, chital, bhasa, gaur, wild dog, jack, and fox. Small mammals mostly predators are part of the nocturnal pack that can now be seen on night drives in the buffer zones.
Besides the core in Madhya Pradesh wildlife enthusiasts and holidaymakers can enjoy the wilderness in the adjoining reserve in Maharashtra and Pench Mowgli Sanctuary at Rukhad.
Tiger Safari at Pench
For visitors the reserve offers exciting prospects to spend a day on holiday or organize excursions in the core or buffer. The tourism zones created at Pench are as follows:
· Turia
· Karmajhiri
· Jhamtara
· Sillari (Maharashtra)
· Khursapar (Maharashtra)
Buffer Zone
· Rukhad
· Khawasa
· Khumbhapani
· Teliya
Although the preferred zones lie in the core area of the park the buffer zone safari could be as exciting with good prospects of tiger and wolf sightings. The number of wild animals has grown due to active conservation measures and protection provided by the park staff and the authorities. Thus, wildlife visibility has increased and frequent encounters are taking place everywhere even on the highway.
Safari permits are required for excursions in open jeeps that are subject to rules and regulations. You can book at MP Online or through the wildlife resorts you plan to stay at. There are many luxury resorts near Turia Gate at Pench National Park. Please book your safaris in advance since entry is limited.
Pench Tiger Reserve is at a distance of 90 km from Nagpur Airport and 200 km from Jabalpur Airport. The park is also connected with Kanha National Park at a distance of 200 plus kilometers. Tourism in the core zone is closed during the monsoon period.