Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, a Fascinating Destination to Visit in Gujarat

Spread over an area of about 7,505.22 sq km, the Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest wildlife preservation in the state of Gujarat. The sanctuary is situated in the north-eastern part of the Kutch district that borders Pakistan and Wild Ass Sanctuary. The place is regarded as one of the largest seasonal saline wetlands having an average water depth between 0.5 to 1.5 m. However, after the months of October to November, water dries up and the entire area transforms into a saline desert. The area was declared as a wildlife sanctuary on February 1986. 

The area named ‘Flamingo City’ within the sanctuary is a nesting and breeding place for thousands of Flamingoes. A 5000 year old city lies buried at a close distance from this place. Recent excavations resulted in the discovery of Dholavira city of Harappan civilization, which attracts a large number of archaeologists from different parts of the globe.

Attractions 

                                     

Flora:

The entire area of this sanctuary comprises of revenue wasteland, forest area and territorial water of the Arabian Sea. There are two hills within this sanctuary, namely Kala Dungar and Goro Dungar. Towering to a height of about 438 m, The Kala Dingar hill is the highest point in the sanctuary. Both these hilly landscapes include various microhabitats. On these hills you will find scrubland, grassland, agricultural land, barren wasteland and irrigation reservoir. All of these support a diverse variety of wild habitats.

Fauna:

This uniquely featured sanctuary is a home to a diverse species of wild animals, such as wild ass, hyena, wolf, Indian porcupine, mongoose, blue bull, pale hedgehog, Small Indian civet, jackal, desert fox, sambar, chinkara and few others.

The sanctuary is also home to diverse species of avifauna, like black-necked storks, pintail, gulls, sandpiper, sparrow, Greater flamingo, spoonbill, Houbara bustard, pochard, stints, brahmini duck, plovers, Indian cormorant etc. 

Fossils:

There are other attractions at this sanctuary besides the different variety of flora and fauna found at this place. Fossils of vertebrates, invertebrates and plants have been found entrenched below the Cretaceous and Jurassic rocks on Kuvar, Pachchham and Khadir bets. These areas have recorded recovery of fossils of crocodiles of Dinosaurian period, dinosaurs and whales of tertiary period. Fossilized forests of Jurassic and Cretaceous era have also been found in the rocks of this area. The fossils of invertebrates found at this place are those of sea urchins, amonties and few others. 

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the place is in the winter season, i.e. during the months of November to March. 

Accommodation

Though there are no accommodation facilities found within the area of the sanctuary, you will find a considerable number of dining and lodging options close to this place. The region provides a diverse variety of staying option offering you an opportunity to choose according to your budget or preference.

How to Reach 

By Air: The nearest airport to this place is in Bhuj, located at a distance of about 74 km. The airport is well linked with Mumbai and Ahmadabad, from where you will get flights to different parts of the country. Local and hired taxis are available from the airport to get to the place.

By Train: The nearest railway station to this place is in Bhuj, located at a distance of about 110 km. The station is well connected with various major parts in Gujarat as well as cities like Mumbai and Delhi. Tourists will get taxi services from outside the station to get to the place.

  

By Road: The nearest bus station to this place is Rapar, located at a distance of about 20 km. The bus stand receives regular buses from various major places in Gujarat.