Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Maharashtra which is a major tourist attraction spot for tiger safari in the country, witnessed footfall of more than one lakh tourists in 2023, which was the highest in last five years. According to data provided by the Pench Tiger Reserve for the last five years, a total of 1,07,000 tourists visited in PTR last year and conducted a whopping 23,472 number of safaris, which was also the highest in the last five years. In the year 2019-20, when the Covid-19 outbreak took place, only 53,000 tourists visited Pench Tiger Reserve which was almost half than previous year. In 2019, only 16,057 jungle safari’s were conducted and it was almost 7,500 safari’s less than 2023. As per the data, in last five years, PTR witnessed a footfall 3,19,000 and 77,064 jungle safari’s took place.

 

 

 

 

Tourists preferred to visit Pench for jungle safari post Covid-19 as the PTR management witnessed increased number of visitors since 2022, when the Government opened all activities in the forest area. The Pench National Park was established in 1975 and it got the status of Tiger Reserve in 1999, hence, making it the 25th Tiger Reserve of India and in the year 2024 it is celebrating its silver jubilee year. There are more than 40 tigers, 71 mammals, 367 bird species, 53 reptiles, 170 butterfly species dwelling in Pench Tiger Reserve. It has seven tourism routes starting from six campuses namely Sillari, Khursapar, Chorbahuli, Kolitmara, Surewani and Khubada.

 

Tourists can stay at Amaltas Tourism Complex in Sillari, Minko Tourism Complex in Kolitmara and Dhanesh Tourism Complex in Surewani during jungle safari. Pench Tiger Reserve is spread over an area of 741.41 sq km. Adventure activities like para-motoring and hot air balloon have been started recently at Kolitmara. PTR has been declared as India’s first ‘Dark Sky Sanctuary’ by International Dark Sky Organisation. The dark sky initiative is attracting nature enthusiasts and people having interest in Astronomy, are visiting the Reserve from all over the country. Besides, upcoming boat safari in Pench River from Kolitmara to Navegaon Khairi will also be a major attraction in coming days.