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Introduction
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Census
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Management || Special Projects || Constraints || Conflicts || Action Points The
Pench Tiger Reserve is named after the Pench river, which flows
from north to south through the Reserve. The Reserve is located
in the southern The Reserve is situated in an area that holds a significant place in the natural history of Central India. The description of its natural beauty, richness in flora and fauna has appeared in numerous wildlife books dating back to 17th century. Books written in the 19th and early 20th century by famous naturalists like Captain J. Forsyth and Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book explicitly present the detailed panorama of nature's abundance in this tract. An extensive forest belt extends in three directions, north, east and south, covering forest tracts of Seoni, Balaghat and Nagpur districts. The contiguous forest on the southern side in the Maharashtra state of India, initially notified as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru National Park has been recently included in the Project Tiger network by the same name as this Reserve. A dam was constructed on the Pench river on south-eastern boundary of the Reserve. The area is criss-crossed by numerous seasonal streams and nalas. The Pench river flowing through the central line of the Reserve is dry by the April-end but a number of water pools locally known as dohs are found, which serve as waterholes for wild animals. A few perennial springs also exist in this area. However, the water sources are not suitably distributed, hence large area remains unutilized by the wild animals. The Pench reservoir at the center of the Reserve is the only major water source during pinch period. As the prey concentration is high along the Pench river, tigers usually inhabit this belt. Leopards, though, generally operate in the peripheral areas but are occasionally seen in deep forests also. Jungle cats are commonly seen. Leopard cats, Small Indian Civets and Palm Civets are common but seen very rarely. Wild
dogs are commonly seen in packs of 12 to 15, near Chhedia, Jamtara,
Bodanala and Pyorthadi areas of the Reserve. Wild Boar is ubiquitous.
Sloth bear occupy hilly, rocky out crops and favour mahul bel
infested forest. Chinkara is present in very small number and
is found in open areas around Turia, Telia, Dudhgaon villages.
Jackals are seen occasionally in near Tekadi, Alikatta and Chhindimatta
villages Conservation
History
Mammals: Tiger, Leopard, Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Striped Hyena, Wild Dog, Wolf, Common Mongoose, Sloth Bear, Pangolin, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Barking Deer, Blue Bull, Wild Pig and Gaur etc. Reptiles: Fresh water crocodile, Indian Chameleon, Common Krait, Indian Rock Python, Cobra, Indian Flap Shell Turtle, Peninsular black turtle etc. Fishes: Padhan, Jhunda, Sanbal, Chalar, Dadai, Mahur, Kunda, Mrigal, Rohu, Calbasu and Mahasir etc.
Management
There
were two forest villages, Alikatta and Chedia, within the core
zone of the Reserve. They were relocated in 1992 and 1994 to Durgapur
and Khairanj respectively. The vacated areas are now excellent
grasslands and animals especially spotted deer frequent these
places in large number. Pyorthadi meadow which has been created
on periphery of the reservoir is a favoured refuge for many species
of wild animals during summer. Sustained protection input of last 17 years has improved the habitat. Blue bull, Barking deer and four-horned antelope are increasing. A
good degree of efforts have been made to create water sources
in various parts of the National Park. Due to poor water retention
capacity of the soil, anicuts and tanks do not serve the purpose
as these water-bodies usually get dry by the end of February.
A few number of hand-pumps and artificial water holes have been
created. This has given excellent results to serve as artificial
water holes during the summer season, when the water is scarce.
It has resulted in enhanced use of those habitats, which were
not being utilised by animals. A research project, sponsored by W.I.I. on Bison is on. New
Initiatives World Bank funded India Eco-development project is in progress.The major components are improved PA management, village eco-development, and environment education and awareness. 30 Eco-development committees have been taken up for work in the year 1989-90, remaining 69 E.D.C. will be taken up in the year 1999-2000. Village Forest Protection Committees
Criminals and Extremists Sporadic incidences of foot and mouth diseases, H.G. and black quarters are detected. Prophylactic immunization is undertaken with the help of local Veterinary Department. Control of the Buffer
Since
May 1995, the Pench Sanctuary in the buffer has been brought under
the control of the Reserve management. The remaining areas of
the buffer are under the management of South Seoni Territorial
Divisions, and East Chhindwara and South Chhindwara Territorial
Divisions. With the increase in animal population, crop depredation in the villages around core is on the increase. Effort is being made to control the damage under the India Eco-development Project. Occasionally, cases of cattle-lifting by tiger are reported, especially near Gumtara village, and regular livestock lifting by leopards near the periphery of the core area is reported. Man-Forest
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reaches
of the Satpura hill ranges in the Seoni and Chhindwara districts
in the Madhya Pradesh state of India. The terrain is undulating,
with most of the area covered by small hill ranges, steeply sloping
on the sides.
