Rann of Kutch And White Desert of Gujarat – Kachchh

The Rann of Kutch is large area of salt marshes, further divided into two major parts known as Great Rann of Kutch and Little Rann of Kutch along with Banni grasslands, located mostly in the Indian state of Gujarat.

Rann of Kutch ! Salt Marsh

Great Rann of Kutch is located in the famous White Desert area of Kutch District in Gujarat. The Rann of Kutch is largest salt desert in the world and a unique place to explore in India.

Rann of Kutch seasonal salt marsh is the southern extension of the Thar Desert. Luni River originates in Rajasthan and drains into the semi-desert corner of the Rann of Kutch.

Flora ! Desert Grasslands

Rann of Kutch contains salt desserts and grassland of many species of grasses. The small grass of Banni Grasslands located on the marshy salt flats of Rann of Kutch.

Fauna ! Wildlife

The area is well famous for Indian Wild Ass found in the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary at Little Rann of Kutch. Indian Wild Ass or khur shares the land with other wild animal such as Indian wolf, desert cat, hedgehog, golden jackal, threatened blackbuck and the biggest antelope Nilgai.

Avifauna – Birds Found LRK

The Avifauna of Rann of Kutch has a wide variety from waterbirds like cranes, flamingos and pelicansto the desert birds great Indian bustards, Lesser Florican and Houbara Bustard. Great Rann of Kutch is the only place in India where flamingos come to breed along with Chari-Dhand Wetland Conservation Reserve.

Great Rann of Kutch is home to hundred of species of local and migratory birds along with spectacular birds of prey like majestic eagles, fascinating buzzards and elegant harriers with short eared owl.

Wild Ass ! Bustard Sanctuary

Rann of Kutch is home to many wildlife sanctuaries such as  Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary the largest wildlife Sanctuary in India, Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary, Kutch Bustard Sanctuary,Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary and Little desert of Kutch.

These wildlife conservation area are home to several wild animals,birds and reptiles like species of lizards and snakes along with Desert Spiders and Desert Scorpions.

Banni Grasslands ! Seasonal Wetlands

The Banni Grasslands is protected reserves in the Salt marsh region of Rann of Kutch and Banni Grasslands is known as rich biodiversity also the only remaining habitats for reintroduction of the Cheetah in India.

Chari-Dhand Wetland

Chari-Dhand Wetland is located on the edge of arid Banni grasslands, protected under the status of a Reserve Forest in India and a proposed “Ramsar Convention site, also home to endemic and endangered animal species.

Chir Batti ! Ghost Light

Chir Batti at Banni grasslands is a ghost light that appear at marshy wetlands and adjoining desert of the marshy salt flats of the Rann of Kutch.
Chir meaning ghost and Batti meaning light on dark nights and keep changing to blue, red and yellow, Its one of the unexplained Natural Wonders Of India.

Kutchi People ! कच्छी

The Kutchi people traditionally hail from the Kutch district, home to the Kutchi people who speak the Kutchi language.

Kutch District – Kutch district or Kachchh is the largest district of India, larger than the entire area of a small state and known as Rann of Kutch, shallow wetland and Banni grasslands.

Rann Utsav ! White Desert Festival

The famous Rann Utsav or White Desert Festival is the major cultural event held in November–December month in every year at Kutch District. The Carnival of Kutch is one of the mega and most colourful festivals of Gujarat.

Tourism ! The Tent City

Rann Utsav – The Tent City offers cultural events, folk dance,traditional Gujarati dishes and handicrafts are the major attraction of this desert festival.
Handicrafts includes different types of Kutch embroidered cloths with various styles such as Rabari, Ahir, Sindhi and Banni.