It comprises of mangroves, Coral reefs, Mudflats, Seaweeds, Commercial Fishes and several rare marine species. The mangroves of Kutch are the second largest after the Sunderbans in the mainland of India. A prominent feature of the Kutch Coast is the vast intertidal zone comprising a network of creeks, estuaries and mudflats. The Kutch coast provides favorable environment for several sea based trad
itional occupations like fishing, salt making apart from land based occupations like agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry. The Kutch coast is an ecologically sensitive zone as it supports vast areas of Mangroves, Corals, mudflats and the various components of the ecology are interlinked into a fragile ecosystem. The mangroves help the ecosystem by contributing to the oxygen Budget and in Soil Conservation. Mangroves and Corals are the nursing grounds for a variety of economically important fishes, exotic coral fishes and innumerable flora and fauna. These algae in combination with corals and mangroves provide a favorable ecosystem for diverse flora and fauna. Gulf of Kutch is the only place left along the Indian coast after Gulf of Mannar where live corals occur. In 1982, parts of the Gulf area were declared as a Sanctuary and Marine National Park. Recently, scientists have discovered patches of live corals near Mundra coast. Kutch Desert
Kutch is the Largest District in India with a total area of 45652 sq km. Out of this, the Rann of Kutch or salt desert occupies nearly 30,000 sq km or nearly 2/3rd of the area between the Gulf of Kutch and the mouth of the Indus River in southern Pakistan. The Luni River, which originates in Rajasthan, empties into the northeast corner of the Rann. An unusual marshland separates the state of Gujarat from Sind in Pakistan. The dry season dries out the marshland, leaving isolated salt islands on a vast plain. As the summer heat intensifies, the salt in the blistered earth is transformed into a radiant dazzling whiteness. White Rann of Kutch
The white coating of salt over the desert soil is what has earned the Rann of Kutch its name of the White Desert. This is an unusual marshland spanning over 10,000 sq. km and separating Gujarat from the Sind region in Pakistan. The dry season is extreme as it dries out the marshland leaving isolated salt islands on a vast plain. The monsoon is no different in extremity, as it floods the marshland and the whole area is transformed into a vast inland sea. The salt plains seen here are caused by flooding of the Rann by sea, river and rainwater. They are punctuated by highlands called ‘bets’, which have scrub flora and grassland vegetation offering refuge to wildlife. The flat desert of salty clay and mudflats, averaging 15 metres above sea level, fill with standing waters, interspersed with sandy islets of thorny scrub, breeding grounds for some of the largest flocks of greater and lesser flamingos. The Rann of Kutch is home to a wide array of flora and fauna. Migratory birds deem it an abode during diverse weather conditions. The desert is also the abode of three species of Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus khur or khar) wolves, foxes, jackals, chinkara gazelles, nilgai antelope and blackbucks as well as 13 species of lark. Hills
Karo Dungar (Black Hills)
Karo Dungar, which means a black hill, is the highest point in Kutch. At 458 metres, its strategic position offers exquisite views of the Great Rann (desert) and the Gulf of Kutch. This is one of the few non-coastal locations, where you feel like you are on the edge of the earth, on the brink of incomprehensible vastness, which fades into infinity. Interestingly, the northern section is the Karo (black) Dungar and the southern part is the Goro (white) Dungar. The hills represent rocky habitats, with or without scrubs like-Prosopis chilensis, kahri jar, mithi jar, gugal, thor, lai, khijado, gorad, hermo baval, kerdo, bokhano etc. Sunset is the best time to visit this hill. As the sun touches the horizon, you can hear the call of the jackals, you can experience the drop in temperature and the whistling of the winds take over. The hill is also the site of the 400-year-old Dattatreya temple. Legend has it that when Dattatreya, the three-headed incarnation of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, walked on earth, he stopped here on seeing a pack of starving jackals. He offered his body to them and as they ate, his body continually regenerated itself. That’s why, for the last four centuries, the priest at the temple prepares a batch of prasad (offering) that is fed to the jackals after the evening prayers. Dhinodhar
Dhinodhar hill located in Nakhatrana taluka is considered to be holy by Hindus. This 1,300-feet-high hill is famous for the temple of Guru Gorakhnath that is located atop this hill. The temple is more than 1,200 years old. The first temple was heavily damaged during the 1819 earthquake after which it was renovated in 1821 by Sunderjee Khatri, a rich merchant from Bhuj. The three-feet-tall statue of Guru Gorakhnath is made of special black marble. Interestingly, the lamp that is kept here has been kept alive for many years now. There is also a holy fire place in the temple, which is believed to have been used by Guru Gorakhnath for his prayers. Devotees strongly believe that all their wishes will be fulfilled if they visit and perform puja at this temple. This temple belongs to Nath Sampraday, the firm followers of Gorakhnath. All the saints of this sampraday wear very large earrings made of stone. As a result, their ears are torn at the end. This sampraday, established in 644, gives highest importance to simple living and helping others. The leader of this sampraday is called Pir, which means a very holy and sacred person...
"કચ્છ નહીં દેખા તો કુછ નહીં દેખા"
"KaChChH nAhI dEkHa To KuChH nAhI dEkHa"
