It is named after the Pench river and borders the contiguous forest tracts of Maharashtra namely Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru National Park. 

The National Park is a part of the lndo-Malayan realm floristically and is a member of the oriental region according to biogeographic classification of the Wildlife Institute of India. With the three types of forest a diversity of fauna abound within this natural system. 39 species of mammals, 13 species of reptiles, 3 species of amphibians and over 170 varieties of birds have already been listed. There are 25 tigers under this umbrella of the forest. The area is criss crossed by a number of streams and nallahs most of which are seasonal. Though the Pench river dries up in April inside the Park there are several natural water holes for the wild animals. 

There are two villages in the core area and assistance has been provided for the relocation of both. A special eco-development plan is under formulation to ensure that the biotic pressures of the villages in the buffer are contained. 

The area has been declared a Project Tiger reserve only recently and it is too early to assess or review. It will be the third Project Tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh the only state in India to have so many.