Overlooking the border between India and Pakistan, the Rann of Kutch is a expanse of salt marshes.
The Rann of Kutch primarily sits in Gujarat, India’s Kutch area, with a small portion also extending into Pakistan’s Sindh province.
The little Rann of Kutch and the Great Rann are separated. The salt that dried up from its previous location as part of the Arabian Sea formed the Rann of Kutch.
The Luni no longer flows into the Arabian Sea because it once flowed into the Rann of Kutch but was left behind when the Rann dried up.
Adventures Await in the Rann of Kutch
1. Geography
The Rann of Kutch is called after the Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat, where it is primarily situated. Certain sections stretch into the Sindh province in Pakistan. In Gujarati, the word Rann means “desert”.
Approximately 26,000 square kilometers (10,000 square miles) comprise the area of Kutch. The greater part of the Rann is called the Great Rann of Kutch.
With the low hills of Kutch to the south and the Thar Desert to the north, it stretches east and west. In southern Pakistan, to the west, is the Indus River Delta.
The Little Rann of Kutch extends south to the Gulf of Kutch from southeast of the Great Rann.
The area is also renowned for its Heritage Sites in Gujarat, adding cultural significance to its unique geography.
The Rann of Kutch is the source of numerous rivers, including the Luni, Bhuki, Bharud, Nara, Kharod, Banas, Saraswati, Rupen, Bambhan, and Machchhu, which originate in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
At the western end of the Great Rann are the tidal creeks Kori Creek and Sir Creek, which are part of the Indus River Delta.
Most of the Rann floods yearly during the monsoon season, and the surface is usually flat and very near sea level.
There are patches of higher, sandy terrain that are two to three meters above flood level; these are called bets or medaks. Grown on the bets, trees and shrubs act as wildlife havens during the yearly floods.
Travelers flying into the region can find convenient access through various Airports in Gujarat, which offer connectivity to the Rann and other attractions in the state.
2. Climate
The ecoregion has a tropical savanna/semi-arid climate. During the sweltering summer months, average temperatures might reach as high as 50 °C.
Moreover, the temperature can drop to or below freezing during the winter. The amount of rain varies greatly seasonally.
Most of the year is dry in the Rann of Kutch, with the June to September monsoon season seeing the region’s rainfall the most.
Much of the Rann is flooded to a depth of 0.5 meters during the monsoon season due to local rainfall and river flow.
By the time the following monsoon season begins, the Rann will have dried up once more due to water evaporation over the protracted dry season.
3. Ecology
The only sizable area of flooded grasslands in the Indomalayan region is the Rann of Kutch.
The region’s seaside location and desert terrain support a variety of habitats, including mangroves and desert flora.
Many wildlife species adapted to the region’s frequently severe environment can be found in its grasslands and deserts. Among them are endemic and threatened plant and animal species.
4. Flora
Grassland and thorn scrub comprise most of the vegetation in the Rann of Kutch.
Apluda aristata, Cenchrus species, Pennisetum species, Cymbopogon species, Eragrostis species, and Elionurus species are examples of common grass species.
Trees are uncommon except for the areas that climb above the flood zone. The Prosopis juliflora, a non-native tree, has taken root on the bets, and its seed pods give the wild asses year-round nourishment.
5. Fauna
You can find about fifty different animal species in the Rann of Kutch.
They comprise large predators such as wolves (Canis lupus), striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena), desert wildcats (Felis lybica), caracals (Felis caracal), and several large herbivores such as Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), chinkara (Gazella bennettii), and Indian wild ass (Equus hemionus khur).
Initially found throughout a larger area, the Indian wild ass now lives only in the Rann of Kutch. Both blackbuck and nilgai are endangered species.
The area of Kutch is home to approximately 200 bird species, including the endangered houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata) and lesser florican (Sypheotides indicus).
Numerous water species, such as the lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) and demoiselle crane (Grus virgo), find home in the seasonal marshes.
6. History and Culture
Early Neolithic settlements are where the Rann of Kutch started in history. Later, the Mauryan and Gupta dynasties of India and the Indus Valley civilization called it home.
A. The Indus Valley era
In 3500 BCE, the Indus civilization was home to the Rann of Kutch. Situated in the area of Kutch lies the largest Indus site in India, the city of Dholavira.
The location of this city on the Tropic of Cancer suggests that the people who lived in Dholavira were probably very good at astronomy.
Researchers discovered a warehouse in the industrial site of Khirasara, which is part of Kutch.
Many Indologists, like A. S. Gaur and Mani Murali, believe that during the Indus Civilization, the area of Kutch was a navigable archipelago rather than the salt marsh it is today.
This region, rich in history and culture, also reflects the enduring Taste of Gujarat, showcasing its unique blend of heritage and culinary traditions.
B. Period of Imperial India
The Indian empires of the Gupta and Mauryan periods included the area of Kutch.
C. Periods of colonialism and modernity
After assuming control of the Kutch, the British Raj outlawed salt gathering.
Indian revolutionary Mahatma Gandhi protested against this restriction and succeeded in overturning it.
The great Kutch locals started the three-month Rann Utsav celebration, which signifies the busiest travel season, more recently.
Tourists frequently visit Kadiya Dhro in Nakhatrana to explore the diverse beaches of Gujarat.
7. Conservation and protected areas
A 2017 assessment found that protected areas cover 76% (20,946 km²) of the ecoregion.
Among these are the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary (4953.71 km²), founded in 1973, which contains most of the Little Rann, and the Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary (7506.22 km²), created in 1986, which covers most of the Great Rann.
These protected areas are notable Places in Gujarat. The Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary in Pakistan guards the northern part of the Great Rann and the surrounding Thar Desert.
FAQ
Q. What is the Rann of Kutch?
A. The Rann of Kutch is a vast salt marsh located primarily in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India, with a portion extending into Pakistan’s Sindh province.
Q. How is the Rann of Kutch divided?
A. The Great Rann of Kutch and the Little Rann of Kutch are its two divisions
Q. Why is the Rann of Kutch significant ecologically?
A. The most extensive flooded grassland in the Indomalayan region supports diverse flora and fauna adapted to its unique environment.
Q. What types of wildlife can be found in the Rann of Kutch?
A. The area is home to a range of species, including Indian wild ass, blackbuck, and numerous bird species, such as the lesser flamingo and houbara bustard.
Q. What is the Rann Utsav?
A. The Rann Utsav is an annual cultural festival in the Rann of Kutch that celebrates the region’s traditional arts, crafts, and performances.
Q. How does the climate affect the Rann of Kutch?
A. The region experiences extreme temperatures, with sweltering summers and cold winters. It floods during the monsoon season and dries out the rest of the year.
Conclusion
The white Runn of Kutch, straddling the border between India and Pakistan, is a unique expanse of salt marshes with rich ecological and historical significance.
This vast desert, divided into the Little and Great Rann, boasts seasonal floods, diverse wildlife, and distinctive vegetation.
Historically, it was home to the Indus Valley Civilization and later influenced by various Indian empires.
It remains a vibrant area for conservation and cultural events, notably the Rann Utsav, which attracts visitors with its blend of tradition and natural beauty.
Efforts to preserve this unique ecosystem highlight its importance to local culture and global biodiversity.