Apart from teak, there are many popular species of trees can be found in the region, some of them being Mahua (Madhuca longifolia), Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon), Saj (Terminalia elliptica), Chironji (Buchanania cochinchinensis), Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana), Palash (Butea monosperma), Indian Gum tree (Anogeissus latifolia). There is also a presence of evergreen trees like Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) and Jamun (Syzygium cumini) and Bamboo trees too can be found but are restricted to a couple of valleys.

During your culinary experiences at the lodge and village visits, you can often see how these trees impact the local food, traditional medicine and age old crafts like bamboo products etc. While you are in the forest, do ask your guide to show you the ‘ghost tree’ (Sterculia urens). With it’s white hue of the trunk once the leaves are shed, the tree glows in the moonlight, giving it it’s popular name.

Interesting facts about Pench

Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th century document which recorded the administrative and other aspects of Mughal Empire too mentions the location, diverse flora and fauna of the forest.

The most common area of sighting the leopards is Piyorthadi while the wolves and the hyneas are usually found in the fringes of the park. Sloth bears usually occupy the rocky and hilly areas and can be seen in a couple of buffer zones like Rukhad.

Wild ungulates like Sambhar, Chital, Barking Deer, Nilgai, Gaur, Wild Pigs and Chowsingha can be found in the park. Chinkara is usually seen in the peripheries. The concentration of herbivores is high in the grasslands and around the river making this belt extremely popular with predators. Pench is known for it’s high density herbivore population acts as an area of prey abundance for its carnivores making it a vibrant place to visit.

Amongst the primates, the most common are Hanuman Langurs with Rhesus Macaque. Many a times, it is these primates who give alarm calls warning the other ungulates about the predators in the vicinity.

Avian Population

Over 325 species of migratory and resident birds have been recorded in the area, making it a birder’s delight.
Some of the resident birds often spotted are Indian Roller, Pea fowl, Jungle Fowl, Scaly Breasted Munia, Racket Tailed Drongo, Black Drongo, Laughing Dove, Jungle Owlet, Jungle Babblers, Yellow Footed Green Pigeon, Flame-backed Woodpecker, Red-vented bulbul, species of Parakeets and many others.

Migratory birds like Bar headed Geese, Common Coot, Pochard, Brahmini Duck and many others can be found near the water bodies during the season along with the resident birds like Red- Wattled Lapwing and White-throated Kingfisher.

Pench Tiger Reserve is also home to four different species of endangered vultures: hornbilled vulture, white rumped vulture, the King Vulture and the White Scavenger which can be spotted near Sita Ghat or Raiyakassa areas. Other birds of prey that can be observed are Shikra, Eagles and Buzzards.

Other Fauna

Pench is home to a large population of other fauna like over 50 species of fishes, 13 species of amphibians, 105 species of vibrant Butterflies, moths and large numbers of other insects.

Over 33 species of reptiles too have been recorded. Some of the common ones are: Indian Rock Python, Monitor Lizard, Russell's Viper, Checkered Keelback and Indian Flapshell Turtle.

Interesting facts about Pench

BBC’s famous documentary “Tiger: Spy in the Jungle” was filmed in Pench Tiger Reserve. The legendary tigress Collarwali was documented as a cub along with her mother- tigress Badi Mada. Narrated by David Attenborough, it was this documentary that popularised this reserve.