PENCH
Kipling’s Jungle Book
Pench National Park is a land where nature and legend intertwine, a wilderness that inspired the pages of The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. Spanning the borders of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, this vast expanse of teak forests, rolling grasslands and meandering rivers is one of central India’s most breathtaking wildlife sanctuaries. Named after the Pench River that flows through its heart, the park is home to a thriving ecosystem teeming with rare and magnificent wildlife.
The Royal Bengal tiger prowls these forests and Pench also holds one of the highest densities of leopards in central India. The rocky terrain and secluded outcrops provide ideal habitat for these elusive cats, which are often seen basking in the soft light of winter mornings. Several sightings of melanistic leopards have also been reported here, evoking the presence of Bagheera himself.
Beyond its rich biodiversity, Pench carries a legacy of folklore and storytelling. Although Rudyard Kipling never visited the park, the writings of British officers stationed in the area breathed life into Mowgli’s world. The spirit of The Jungle Book lives on in Pench, from the mighty Sher Khan to the wise Baloo and the fierce yet loyal Akela.