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Introduction
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Census
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Archeology
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Pench Tiger Reserve has a great ecological significance as it represents the floral and faunal wealth of Satpura-Maikal hill range. The Reserve is rich in natural features like Nagdeo Pahadi, Ambakhori Waterfall (Seasonal), Totaladoh Dam, Maghdoot Jalashaya (Pond), Out Fall (Gawali Ghat) etc. Prior to re-organisation of State, in the Pench Tiger Reserve area, shooting block system was initiated in 1927, where on receipt of permission from C.F., the D.F.O. used to permit shooting in certain blocks abundant in game. The
Bombay Wild Animals and Wild Birds Act, 1951 was extended to Vidarbha The area was declared as Pench National Park (Maharashtra) 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 sq. km. Government of India declared the area as Pench Tiger Reserve vide their 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.
Note: In the year 1995, due to the heavy rainfall during census period, waterhole count was not reliable. For Tiger and Leopard pug-mark census and for other species waterhole count methodology is used. Figures for Tiger and Leopard based on waterhole count for year 1996, 97 and 98. Age old Ghuggusgarh Fort is situated on the western bank of river Pench and is in West Pench Range of the Reserve. Forest Types Dry teak bearing forests,Southern dry deciduous mixed forests Major Flora Main Species Hardwickia binata, Chloroxylon swietenia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Adina cordifolia, Terminalia leucophioea, Mitragayna parviflora, Acacia catechu, Dolichandrone falcata, Madhaca longifolia, Scherbera swieteniodes, Butea monosperma, Soymida febrifuga, Tectona grandis, Terminalia tomentosa, Dalbergia latifolia, Diospyros melanoxylon, Ougenia ogeinensis Main Species Major Fauna Presbytis entelius, Canis aureus, Canis alphinus, 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, Hystrix indica, Mains crassicaudata. Practices, Achievements and Shortfalls After
the notification, the aim of the management has been to protect,
maintain and improve the environment of the Pench Tiger Reserve.
The soil-moisture conservation and tourism development have been
undertaken. Fire protection measure are taken every year by cutting
the boundary line of the Tiger Reserve and burning the debris
when it is dried. Water holes, salt licks and meadows are also
maintained As per the directive and judgement of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India fishing is totally banned in Pench Tiger Reserve. But due to the interference of Anti-social elements, there is occasional and deliberate illegal fishing in the Pench Reservoir. Due to alertness and strict vigilance of the staff, illegal fishing is under total control. There is a total control on illicit felling due to strict patrolling by the staff. The flow of tourists is kept under check on holidays like 31st December/ 1st January, Holi, 15th August, 26th January etc. New Initiatives Eco-development Village eco-development works have been started in Sillari and Tuyapar villages of East Pench Range. Due to the introduction of this programme with assistance of World Bank the result of the scheme is encouraging. 11 families of Sillari village and 13 families of Tuyapar village were provided with Bio-gas to reduce their fire wood consumption. There is demand of people to implement this scheme in other villages around the Reserve. Due to benefits, villagers reciprocate by help in forest/fire protection etc. Village Forest Protection Committees Village protection committees have not been yet formed in Pench Tiger Reserve. But due to the introduction of village eco-development programmes in villages like Sillari and Tuyapar, the people help in tracing and reducing forest offences. The people in above villages are help in patrolling in forest with forest staff. Protection Squads / Patrolling In Pench Tiger Reserve, patrolling is done on foot as well as by vehicles when available. Recently, a system of group patrolling (group of 4-5 guards) has been introduced. The patrolling groups camp deep inside the forest. A joint patrolling programme was executed with Madhya Pradesh forest authorities during 1998-1999. Human population Looking to the statistics of 1981 and 1991 census there is about 25 per cent increase in the human population of Nagpur District (1981-25.89 lacs, 1991-32.87 lacs). There is only one village named Fulzari inside the boundary of the Reserve, whereas about 9 villages are situated on the periphery of Pench Tiger Reserve. As such about 3700 people of these villages are entirely dependent on the Reserve for their daily needs of firewood and small timber. Livestock population The cattle population of 9 villages around and one village inside the Reserve is 4097 which is solely dependent on Pench for grazing. Encroachment There is some encroachment in protected area by villagers of Fulzari and Ghatpendhri. The process of shifting the village "Fulzari" from inside the Reserve is in progress. The encroachments along the boundary of Pench Tiger Reserve need to be identified. There are illegal occupants in the temporary structures of Irrigation Department at Totladoh. Grazing Domestic cattle from the villages in and around the Reserve i.e. Fulzari, Sillari, Pipariya, Totladoh, Ghatpendhri, Narhar, Banera are more or less dependent on this Reserve. Fire Proper fire fighting measures are taken to keep the protected area safe from fire, even though the grants sanctioned for the fire fighting measures are inadequate. Fire incidence year wise
Poaching of fauna and flora Few cases of poaching of fauna and flora have been detected. Though there is great pressure of illegal fishing in Totladoh Reservoir, but it is controlled through round the clock patrolling and vigilance. Criminals and Extremists Except for fishermen involved in illegal fishing, criminals and extremists are not noticed in Pench Tiger Reserve. Diseases Diseases among the wild animals are not noticed in the Reserve. Control of the Buffer The buffer zone is not with the management of the Pench Tiger Reserve. Hence no comments are offered. The forests around the Reserve are with Nagpur Forest Division or Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra. Man-Animal Damage to crops by herbivores is the main reason of man-animal conflict. Few cases of cattle lifting by tiger or leopard from inside the Reserve has occurred. The damage to human and cattle in the villages around the Reserve is not reported. Man-Forest In Pench , the main man and forest conflict arises for grazing of domestic cattle.
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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. 