The Rann of Kutch is considered to be the most splendid salt marsh. It is seasonal and is situated and covers a negligible part of south western part of Pakistan, the province of Sindh. In India it is is a part of the Thar Desert, located in the district of kutch, which is situated in the State of Gujarat. Covering a mammoth area of about 7505.22 square kilometers (2897.78 sqm ) is considered to be the largest salt desert in the world. The astounding place is dwelled by the kutchi people.

The source of the word ’Rann’ can be traced back to the rig Vedic period and Mahabharata when the word signified run meaning desert.

The monsoon season of India transform the place into a thriving breeding ground for the flamingoes. The mudflats and the salty sticky clay are filled with stagnant water punctuated from time to time with sandy islets comprising of thorny scrub. The land stands at an average of 15 meters above the sea level.

The Rann of Kutch is the home to some exotic and rare species of the world. Well renowned for the Indian Wild Ass sanctuary, it is the dwelling place of the last three species of the Asiatic wild ass (Equushemionuskhur or khar). These species are the unique and the sole ones which still inhabit the area along with jackals, foxes, nilgai antelope, chinkara gazelles, foxes and blackbucks. It is the sole place in all of Pakistan and India which witness the migration of scores and scores of flamingoes. It is also characterized by the presence of thirteen species of larks that harbors.

For the preservation and protection of the species of animals and birds against poaching the area id diligently and regularly patrolled by the birder security force (BSF). The land beyond the India bridge is a long stretch representing pure white replica of snow with intermittent deposition of salt crystals. The endless miles of white sand which stretches beyond infinite can spell a cast on the viewer who will be enchanted with the whole scenario of the desert.

Location Map

The Great Rann of Kutch as it is popularly known as, with the Grasslands known as Banni covering the fringes of the south. The Rann of Kutch in addition with the little Rann of Kutch is located in the district of kutch and incorporates some 30000 square kilometers between the areas of gulf of Kutch and outlet of the Indus river in southern part of Pakistan. The mash can be entered from Kharagoda, a village in the district of Surendranagar. During the Indian summer monsoon the incessant rain causes the whole stretch of the Kutch to get filled with water and is inundated. Hence the colossal distance of the land stretching from the Gulf of Kutch on the west and gulf of Cambey on the east get consolidated during the monsoon.

Photo Gallery

Geology

The area was a huge shallow of the Arabian Sea until the unabated tectonic uplift isolated the area from the adjacent sea. This led to the formation of a vast lake, which was rendered unavailable when Alexander invaded India. The Ghaggar River which had its ending into the desert of northern Rajasthan formerly had its demise in the Rann of Kutch. Eventually with time the river’s lower reaches got vaporized while the upper streams got incorporated by the popular Ganges and the Indus. The geological survey of India has archival and geological evidence of the traces of delta and distributaries prevalent on or around the northern boundaries of the Rann of Kutch.

The Luni River which has its source in Rajasthan terminates into the north east corner of theRann of Kutch. Rupen lying in the east of Rann of Kutch and the West Banas River from the north east also sustain itself from the waters of the marsh.

The sporadic sandy islets provide habitation and breeding ground to some of the raw and unique species of animals and birds. The place attracts the migratory flamingoes to a large extent. The population of the wildlife is large and the Indian wild ass migrates to the higher lands and grounds on account of the flood experienced in the lower lands.

Biodiversity

Wildlife

The vegetation of the place mainly consists of in some areas grasses such as apluda and cenchrus species along with dry prickly shrubs.

The winder is the ideal season which sees the migration of large flocks of flamingoes andpelicans, it is the one place in the whole ofIndia where flamingoes come to breed and is the habitat of thirteen species of lark. The place is also a well-known tourist spot for because of the Indian wild ass century. , it is also the home of the world's last population of Indian wild ass (equushemionuskhur or khar). Other mammals of the area comprise the chinkara (gazellabennettii), desert fox (Vulpesvulpespusilla), golden jackal (canisaureus), Indian wolf (canisindica), nilgai (boselaphustragocamelus), and the near threatened blackbuck (antilopecervicapra.

The marshes provide a relaxation ground for plenty of migratory birds. The area is also thedwelling place of over 200 striking bird species. Some rare bird species which dwell in this area are the threatened species of Lesser Florican (eupodotisindica) and houbara bustard (chlamydotisundulata).

The desert inhabiting reptile including the Spiny tailed lizard is a common in this area and can be perceived frequently by tourists and explorers.

Bird Watching: Bird watching is an interesting activity and the little Rann of Kutch provide ample opportunity to observe various species of outlandish and garish local and migratory birds. It has been named as the paradise of the dwelling places of the birds providing a mixture of ecstasy and delight to the numerous tourists that has been stated as Ramsar Site. During the excursions in the Rann anticipation  to see large groups of larks, and other dry land birds like sandgrouse, warblers, babblers, coursers, plovers, chats shrikes drives tourists and holiday makers to this place. Among the countless winter invitees are the spotted sandgrouse and houbara bustard.

Predators like the aquila eagles, short-toed eagle, buzzards, three species of harrier and six species of falcon also inhabit this desert. It is few places marked in the wild statuary of India where the harriers can be seen to be roosting not obscured in the shelter less ground during the night.

National Parks in Kutch Desert

The well recognized Kutch desert wildlife sanctuary is located in the great Rann of Kutch, Kutch district in Gujarat. It was endowed the dignitary tern of sanctuary by the government in 1986.

It is considered to be one of the prevalent saline marshy lands. The land has an average water depth of 0.5 to 1.5 meters. During the month of October and November the rain water which has been accumulated desiccate making the whole area crystal clear with glittering white saline desert. The region harbors a lot of mammals and water birds varying in types and species.

The place has derived its name as flamingo city because of its magnetizing capacity to draw in a large number of greatermigratory Flamingo (Phoenicopterusroseus). The place is the breeding ground for scores and scores of flamingoes nesting in the place.

Desert Economy

Tourism

The government of Gujarat has taken a special initiative to overhaul the image of the Kutch region and make it more enticing for the tourists to visit. Hence the hosting of the three dayannual festival takes place where the tourists and the explorers gets to reconnoiter every sphere of the Kutch region and get acquainted with the local population, their culture, hospitality and the delectable cuisines of the region. Many travel clubs and agencies plan for the excursions in this region.

Handicrafts

The population of this region is engaged in handicrafts which churn out embroideries of various styles such as Ahir, Sindhi, Rabari, Mutwa, Banni, Ari and Soof - and some styles include mirror or bead inlay.

Ecotourism

There are many festivals that are celebrated in that region and among them the renowned and the popular ones are the Kutch Mahotsav or the great Kutch festival which takes place during the month of December and January. The festivals are always accompanied by garish apparels and attires, colourful dance performances and other activities that can be a marvelous experience for the tourists. Langa Desert Music, Sindhi Bhajan performances, the music concerts, and shops selling traditional Kutchi embroideries and jewelry are to be relished.

The Rann of Kutch is the largest salt desert and the wonderful phenomena of this region is that the span of time when the whole desert is submerged under the water is confined only during the monsoon period, for the remaining eight months it is well out of water, dried stretching across the immense saline desert.

Activities

The tourism activities entail excursions and safaris of the tourists and the mode of transportation varies from jeep, car and other automobiles to riding camel. The semi nomadic, nomadic and the artisan tribe offer plethora of handmade articles and tools which do not fail to awe the tourists. Camel wool shawls and garments embroidered with various kinds of mirror-work from are exceptionally prominent along with the spectacular carved woodcraft and chunky silver jewelry.