At Pench, the Gondwana land of the Jungle Book
The first impression of Pench is that of an aviary paradise. This fact is overshadowed by the easy
and frequent sighting of tigers at this wild forest that inspired Rudyard Kipling to pen his Jungle book
stories. The irresistible appeal of his characters Mowgali, Bhaloo, Share khan et al emerge through
sensitive themes of loyalty, honor, courage, and persistence at this land of Gonds.
We started our morning jungle ride in an open gypsy van from Tathastu, the new luxury resort near Pench National Park. The
writing on the blackboard at the reception heralded the spotting of kingfisher, Malabar giant squirrel and the tiger on the
previous day.
PENCH NATIONAL PARK IS A BIRDS’ PARADISE
An army of flower peckers entertained us as we waited for other team mates to join us for the safari. These tiny birds seemed
impatient to peck from many flowers of the tree that had shed all its leaves.
Entry procedure for Pench National Park was simple and quick at the Turia gate.
A gray hornbill flew overhead to settle on a large teak tree. A pack of four wild dogs ran across the track.
We heard the incessant calls of Magpies and Barbets. A gray headed fish eagle fluttered its huge wing at the tip of the tree.
SAMBAR DEER AT PENCH
Suddenly the jeep stopped and guide Dinesh pointed to the small owlet drowsing in its hole at the tree trunk. It seemed
oblivious to the sounds of our cameras.
Guide Dinesh referred to the surrounding region as Gondwana, the land of Gonds. Our thoughts went back to million year old
history of Gondwana days when continents of Africa, India, Antarctica and Australia were part of the same land mass. It was
fascinating to learn that the name continued to be in use. Central India, stretching across Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh
and Maharashtra including the Pench, is the land of ‘Gonds’, who are anthropologically Proto Australoid. Gondis live a
nomadic lifestyle and speak the common language known as Gondi. They depend on forest produce and worship ancestors
and nature, similar to Australian aborigines.
Rudyard Kipling has written Jungle book based on a local lore that narrated the story of Mowgali, a boy brought-up by a herd
of wolves in the jungle.
TENT, TREE HOUSE AND CAVE ROOMS AT TATHASTU
RESORT NEAR PENCH
We were now in The Mowgli Pench Sanctuary, one of the two areas of Pench Tiger Reserve.
The panoramic beauty of the area as we drove close to the Pench River was breathtaking. The tiger had left its footmarks on
the wet ground. A few antelopes roamed freely and stared at us when we stopped by to look at them.
Dinesh said that Pench had 64 tigers and 13 cubs. A male and female tiger with their two cubs had been a common sight near
the tourist track for a month. Forest guards had to lead the big-cat family to a safer haven inside the park to save them from
being run-down.
The 758 square kilometer Pench Tiger Reserve is a breeding ground of tigresses whose gene pools play an important role in
revitalizing the meta populations of surrounding tiger reserves of Kanha, Satpura, Melghat and Nagzira-Navegaon . It is
continuously being awarded as the best maintained park in India.
TIGER AT PENCH NATIONAL PARK
A huge sambar deer was basking in the sun under the tree, while another was raising its front legs to feed on the tree leaves.
Indian Ghost tree stood bright amidst the green woods. The gum oozed from its white trunk is used in preparing Indian sweets.
Many more antelopes, peacocks and kingfishers greeted us as we proceeded back to our base near the forest.
Pench National Park is spread over two states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Nagpur, which has India’s centre point
situated in the town, is the nearest city at 90 kms.
Tathastu Resort at Turia village near Pench National Park has a mixed, luxurious accommodation of villas, cave rooms, tree
houses and tents. Villas named after birds characteristics like hoopoe’s stripes and Hornbill’s beak have three to four bed
rooms connecting to common drawing and living rooms and passages. A private dip swimming pool is provided in each villa.
Four luxury tents have well furnished interiors, including a floor level natural bath tub in the bathrooms. Four aesthetically
created cave rooms are again interconnected and have cosy interiors. Tree house is built above cave rooms.
The resort’s reception centre is simple and inviting. A large lake in front has fishing and boating facilities. A 3000 sq. ft.
conference hall with LCD projector is situated above the covered swimming pool with pool party facilities. Multi hall dining area
is attached to full-fledged kitchen and bakery. Interesting nature activities here include bird watching, cycle tour, guided nature
walks, trekking and village visits.
TURIA GATE OF PENCH
Tathastu is 90 minutes drive away from Nagpur city.
Nagpur is 90 minutes flight away from Mumbai and is also the base for wildlife tours to Tadoba, Nagzira, Bor and Navegaon
wildlife sanctuaries and Kanha National Park. The city lying at India’s centre point has an international airport that will soon
have India’s cargo and MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) hub.
Written by : Anand & Madhura Katti