Seoni is primarily a tribal dominated district formed on 1st November 1956. The district name Seoni has the origin from the word "SEONA" (or gudina arborea), a species of tree belonging to the verbanaleal family which was commonly found in this area. The wood of this tree is used in manufacture of "DHOLAK". The district is situated on a narrow, North-South section of satpura plateau in the South of Jabalpur Division. The District lies between latitude 21 36' & 22 57' North and longitude 79 19' & 80 17' East.

Seoni district is rich in timber resources. Teak is most important tree growing in and around Seoni district. Wainganga  river is the lifeline of Seoni district. It originates at "Mundara" village in Seoni district. Asia's largest mud dam has been built on this river at Bhimgarh village in Chhapara block of the district. The district Hqrs. lies on Nagpur Varanasi NH-27 and is in between Jabalpur & Nagpur. Total area of district is 8758 sq kms.   

As per 2001 census the population of district is 1166608 out of which 1045921 is rural population and 120687 is urban population. The scheduled tribe population is 429104

For administrative convienience the district has been divided into 5 revenue sub divisions namely Seoni, Lakhnadon, Barghat, Keolari & Ghansore and 6 Tahsils. Agriculture is main occupation of local populace.

30 Km on Nagpur side lies the bison retreat a motel run by MPTDC, specialty of the restaurant is that it is build with dry Teak trees itself . Another major tourist attraction is Pench Tiger Sanctuary which lies 195 Km from Jabalpur and 92 Km from Nagpur which is a worth visiting place during March-June

Pench National Park                                               The India Eco-development project was started in Pench Tiger reserve in 1996-97 with the aid from World Bank. Under this project 99 villages around the tiger reserve have been identified in order to develop their own resources, so that their dependency on the project area is mitigated. In return , they will co-operate and participate in protection of Tiger.

Area

Location                                                              Main Entrance Gate at Turia is 12 kms from Khawasa. Khawasa lies on Nagpur Jabalpur NH-7 just on border of Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra. Khawasa is 80 kms from Nagpur and 190 kms from Jabalpur end.

Pench Tiger Sanctury Pench National park , nestling in the lower southern reaches of the satpuda hills is named after Pench river, meandering through the park from north to south. It is located on the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh, bordering Maharashtra , in the districts of Seoni and Chhindwara The undulating terrain of Pench is covered with small hills and well stocked taek and mixed forest. The main flora being Teak (Tectona grandis) , Saja (Terminalia tomentosa), Bija (Pterocarpus marsupium), Lendia, Haldu, Dhaora, Aonla, Amaltas etc. The ground is covered with a number of grasses, bushes, herbs & shrubs. Dazzling white Kullu trees scattered around singly in the forest is conspicuous among various hues of green. The old plantations of Teak & Bamboo add orderly vistas in the otherwise general wilderness

The flow of Pench river stops in December, what remains are a few scenic and serene pools in the river bed. There are a few perennial springs and tanks. At the southern boundary of park, the Pench river has been dammed for Pench hydroelectic project at Totladoh. At the maximum capacity the reservoir submerges 54 sq kms of the park area. This had been the loss of best valley forest, which was once referred by Sir Rudyard Kipling in his book named "Jungle Book". This large reservoir of Pench with sporadic islands attract a number of winter birds from north

Cheetal, SamBAR, Neelgai are commonly seen grazing on the open sites on roadsides and banks of river & reservoir. Jackals can be seen in search of food anywhere in park . Packs of wild dogs can also be seen occasionally . Herds of Gaur can be spotted near streams and bamboo patches, more common during summer months.

Langurs are very common. Whereas Rhesus monkeys may be seen occasionally on the fringes There are around 50 Tigers and 30 Leopards they are a shy lot and can be seen on roads and near water pools of river during summer months. Pench boasts of more than 210 species of birds including several migratory ones. Commonly seen are Pea fowl, Red jungle fowl, Crow pheasant, Crimson breasted barbet, Redvented bulbul, Racket tailed drongo, Magpie robin, Lesser whistling teal

Park remains open from 01 November to 30 June only
Best time to visit- March to June

How to Reach

Nagpur is the nearest rail head and all the south bound trains stop here. Even Nagpur is the nearest airport, one can hire a taxi or board a bus from Nagpur and come to Khawasa which is 80 Km from Nagpur on Nagpur-Jabalpur NH-7.  Also Tourist can come similarly from Jabalpur to Khawasa which is 190 kms from Jabalpur. From Khawasa tourist has to hire a petrol vehicle to enter into park through Turia gate which is 12 kms from Khawasa