Ecology & Attractions

WHITE RANN SALT CRYSTALS DAZZLE LIKE MILLIONS OF DAIMONDS UNDER THE SCRACHING SUN. A seasonal salt marshland situated in the heart of the Thar Desert with Gujarat on one side and Pakistan’s Sind province on the other, the district spans about 7,505.22 square kilometres (2,897.78 sq mt) and is one of the largest salt deserts in the world. The Great Rann of Kutch, the Little Rann of Kutch and the Banni grasslands at the southern fringe, makes up for some 30,000 square kilometres of white lands, sweeping the Gulf of Kutch at one end, and the seat of the great Indus Valley Civilization on the other, falling in southern Pakistan.

A cradle of craftsmanship, Kutch is known for its exquisite variety of weaving, patchwork, block-printing, bandhani, tie-and-dye, rogan-art and other ethnic styles of embroidery, pottery, wood-carving, metal-crafts and shell-work. The variety emerges from the enchanting terrain that provides a perfect backdrop to an extra ordinary fair. Perhaps because the landscape is so while and ochre, even a hint of colour adds a fascinating element to the rustic life of Rann.

The hills are well known in locals as Kala Dungar or Panchchhamayi. From Khavda, north side 25 km, is the 460m High point called The Black Hills (Kalo Dungar) Great Rann of Kutchh is visible from here. There is an army post, as this place is nearest from Pakistan border.The connected story tells that Lord Dattatrey had visited this place & offered his body to Jackals & from that day , the temple Pujari offers Prasad to Lord Dattarey after aarti & then offers to Jackals. A bunch of Jackals appears from surrounding Black Hills to eat Prasad.

The Chari-Dhand wetland conservation reserve is located on the edge of arid Banni grasslands and the marshy salt flats of the Rann of Kutch in Kutch District, Gujarat State in India. It is currently legally protected under the status as a Protected or Reserve Forest in India. Chari means salt affected and Dhand means shallow wetland, Dhand is a Sindhi word for a shallow saucer shaped depression.

This is a seasonal desert wetland and only gets swampy during a good monsoon, receiving water from the north flowing rivers as well as from the huge catchment areas of many surrounding big hills. It is spread over an area of 80 km2. It is in Nakhtrana Taluka, 80 km south west to the city of Bhuj, about 7 or 8 km from Fulary village and 30 km from Nakhtrana town. It is home to nearly two lakh birds with migratory and endangered species of birds flocking into the area in thousands during monsoon and winters.