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{{about|desert sanctuary in Gujarat, India|counterpart in Pakistan|Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary}}
{{unfocused|date=February 2016}}{{Infobox protected area|name=Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary|iucn_category=IV|area=7506.22 km2|location=[[Gujarat]], [[India]]}}

'''Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary''' is situated in the [[Great Rann of Kutch]], [[Kutch district]], [[Gujarat]], India, it was declared a sanctuary in February 1986. It is the largest [[Wildlife refuge|Wildlife Sanctuary]] in India areawise.<ref>http://wiienvis.nic.in/Database/wls_8230.aspx</ref>

It is one of the largest seasonal saline wetlands having an average water depth between 0.5 and 1.5 metres. By October–November each year, rain water dries up and the entire area turns into saline desert. The sanctuary supports wide variety of water birds and mammalian wildlife.

==Flamingo City==
It encompasses a true saline desert where thousands of [[greater flamingo]] (''Phoenicopterus roseus'') nest in the world-famous ‘Flamingo City’ located in the mud flats of the Rann, about 10 km from Nir outpost on Kala Dungar hill. It is the only area where flamingoes congregate to breed regularly.

As per a television series, National Security by [[Rajya Sabha TV]], the flamingo city is now a dead patch of land and flamingos do not come to breed here<ref>{{cite news|title=National Security: BSF in Mysterious Rann of Kutch|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ05UrB4wEw|accessdate=7 February 2016|agency=RAjya Sabha TV|publisher=Rajya Sabha TV|date=18 March 2015}}</ref>

==Indo-Pak International border==
The northern boundary of this sanctuary forms the [[international border]] between [[India]] and [[Pakistan]] and is heavily patrolled by the [[Border Security Force]] in India with much of this sanctuary being closed to civilians after the India Bridge at Kala dungar (Black hill), [[Khavda]]. Tourists and researchers can only enter here with special permission from the BSF.

==Snow white Rann==
In the area controlled and patrolled by the [[Border Security Force]] (BSF) after the "India Bridge" several hundred square kilometers of Rann is pure white like snow with heavy deposit of salt crystals. The marshy Rann here becomes pure white and flat till the eye can see, till the horizon after the rain water has dried up, in the winters every year.

==Excavated city of Dholavira from the Harappan civilization==
Buried nearby to where the flamingoes breed is the ancient excavated city of [[Dholavira]] from the [[Harappan civilization]], attracting archeologists from all over the world.

==Ancient fossil beds==
This sanctuary has some other ancient attractions as well. Embedded in the [[Jurassic]] and [[Cretaceous]] rocks on Khadir, Kuvar and Pachchham bet islands in the Greater Rann, are plenty of [[fossils]] of [[vertebrates]], [[invertebrates]] and plants. Fossils of [[dinosaurs]], [[crocodiles]] (of the 'Dinosaurian period') and [[whales]] (dating from the [[Tertiary period]]) have been recorded to have been recovered from here. Fossilized trees and forests are found here in the rocks belonging to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The fossils of invertebrates here include those of [[sea urchins]], [[ammonites]] and such others.

==In popular culture==
[[J. P. Dutta]]'s [[Bollywood]] film [[Refugee (2000 film)|Refugee]] is shot on location in the Great Rann of Kutch and other locations in the [[Kutch district]] of [[Gujarat]], India. This film is inspired by the famous story by [[Keki N. Daruwalla]] based around the Great Rann of Kutch titled "LOVE ACROSS THE SALT DESERT"<ref>[http://learnhub.com/lesson/8204-love-across-the-salt-desert LOVE ACROSS THE SALT DESERT] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202222431/http://learnhub.com/lesson/8204-love-across-the-salt-desert |date=2013-12-02 }}; by Keki N. Daruwalla. Pdf of full story posted at [[Boston University]] at [http://cns.bu.edu/~sat/satblog/fotos/lasd.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719155552/http://cns.bu.edu/~sat/satblog/fotos/lasd.pdf |date=2011-07-19 }}. [http://learnhub.com/lesson/8205-love-across-the-salt-desert-know-more Bollywood connection - J. P. Dutta's "Refugee" is said to be inspired by this story] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202231316/http://learnhub.com/lesson/8205-love-across-the-salt-desert-know-more |date=2013-12-02 }}; learnhub, [[University of Dundee]]</ref> which is also included as one of the short stories in the School Standard XII syllabus English text book of [[NCERT]] in India.<ref>[http://cicmanipur.nic.in/html/hr_c_syll_enggen.asp (iii) Supplementary Reader; Selected Pieces of General English for Class XII; English General - Class XII] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129003324/http://cicmanipur.nic.in/html/hr_c_syll_enggen.asp |date=January 29, 2011 }}; Curriculum and Syllabus for Classes XI & XII; [[NCERT]]. Also posted at [https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:7ntDKDdv7C8J:www.cisce.org/data/Syllabus%2520for%2520ISC%25202011/ISC%2520Appendix%2520-%2520I%2520-%2520List%2520of%2520Prescribed%2520Text%2520Books.pdf+love+across+the+salt+desert+school+book&hl=en&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgJ2u5Zn9VJb8UC3LXk1MDsfBERX-6E1YnXt26Zlk-U0eZUQUcI9sYBSYRsT0kWnjkODYtCiUrkQ5FFA0zNmU2iH6SusNqJp69XsZRKb9NGE5CbIDuH7jKqGHt-5Zq1ohU1Ese-&sig=AHIEtbTRkblCLszaeaAoijZrBVDt84XjRA] / [https://web.archive.org/web/20090902193543/http://www.cisce.org/data/Syllabus%20for%20ISC%202011/ISC%20Appendix%20-%20I%20-%20List%20of%20Prescribed%20Text%20Books.pdf], {{cite web|url=http://www.education.nic.in/cd50years/q/6J/B3/6JB30202.htm |title=Archived copy |accessdate=January 6, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410164431/http://www.education.nic.in/cd50years/q/6J/B3/6JB30202.htm |archivedate=April 10, 2009 }}</ref>

==Wildlife Sanctuaries and Reserves of Kutch==
From the city of [[Bhuj]] various [[ecology|ecologically]] rich and [[wildlife conservation]] areas of the Kutch / [[Kachchh district]] can be visited such as [[Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary]], Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, [[Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary]], [[Kutch Bustard Sanctuary]], [[Banni Grasslands Reserve]] and [[Chari-Dhand Wetland Conservation Reserve]] etc. On the opposite side of the border in [[Pakistan]], the [[Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary]] preserves 566,375 hectares.

==See also==
* [[Arid Forest Research Institute]]
* [[Greater Rann of Kutch]]
* [[Little Rann of Kutch]]
* [[Kutch Bustard Sanctuary]]
* [[Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary]]
* [[Banni grasslands]]
* [[Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary]]
* [[List of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of Gujarat, India]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
* {{WWF ecoregion|name=Rann of Kutch seasonal salt marsh|id=im0901}} This text was originally published in the book Terrestrial ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: a conservation assessment from Island Press. Also see: {{NatGeo ecoregion|id=im0901|name=Rann of Kutch seasonal salt marsh}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091227115944/http://gujenvfor.gswan.gov.in/wildlife/national-park/wildlife-kutch.htm Kutch Desert Wild Life Sanctuary] & [https://archive.today/20121219162330/http://gujaratforest.gov.in/wildlife/kutch_desert1.htm]; Official websites: Forests & Environment Department; State Government of Gujarat, India
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121025192258/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-11-02/vadodara/28083565_1_excavation-branch-harappan-period-asi ASI to take up excavation in Kutch's Khirasara]; by Prashant Rupera, TNN; 2 November 2009; Times of India
* [http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091101/jsp/nation/story_11685142.jsp Flight scan on nomad bird]; by G.S. MUDUR; November 1, 2009; The Telegraph, Calcutta, India
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121025192216/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-08-05/ahmedabad/28206521_1_chinkara-great-rann-kutch Pushed to the edge, they thrive in no man's land]; TNN; 5 August 2009; Times of India
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121002221559/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/asis-effort-to-put-dholavira-on-world-heritage-map-hits-roadblock/422945/ ASI’s effort to put Dholavira on World Heritage map hits roadblock]; by hitarthpandya; Feb 13, 2009; Indian Express Newspaper
* [http://www.indianexpress.com/news/jurassic-park-forest-officials-stumble-upon/20356/ Jurassic Park: Forest officials stumble upon priceless discovery near Dholavira] (2 Page article online); Express news service; Jan 08, 2007; Indian Express Newspaper. Also see [http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_fossil-tree-of-jurassic-age-found-from-in-gujarat_1072701], [http://www.zeenews.com/news346126.html]
* [http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/67671/ Black Hills, Dark Shadow]; by JANYALA SREENIVAS; Apr 03, 2005; Indian Express Newspaper
* [http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2005/02/25/stories/2005022500090200.htm Fighting for the Great Rann - It's a desolate, barren tract of land, but the armed forces guard it with a fierceness that inspires nothing short of awe.] By Gaurav Raghuvanshi; Feb 25, 2005; Business Line; Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
* [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/expedition-to-rescue-flamingo-chicks-launched/articleshow/664728.cms Expedition to rescue flamingo chicks launched]; TNN; 7 May 2004; Times of India
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121025192221/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-05-04/ahmedabad/28327190_1_flamingos-rann-kutch Flamingos perish in Rann of Kutch]; TNN; 4 May 2004; Times of India
* [http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/40419/ Footloose in a Forgotten Land]; Feb 08, 2004; Extracted with permission from Rupa & Co.; Indian Express Newspaper
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121025192240/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-12-30/ahmedabad/27185935_1_dead-birds-chicks-forests Salt may have choked flamingo chicks]; TNN; 30 December 2003; Times of India
* [http://www.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/19990428/ige28097.html Flamingos stump experts]; EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE; April 28, 1999; Indian Express Newspaper
* [http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19990421/ige21090.html Young Flamingo birds face hunger & death]; April 21, 1999; Indian Express Newspaper
* [http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19990420/ige20089.html Death looms large over Flamingo City of Kutch]; by EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE; April 20, 1999; Indian Express Newspaper

{{coord missing|Gujarat}}

[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Grasslands of India]]
[[Category:Wetlands of India]]
[[Category:1986 establishments in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Kutch district]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1986]]

Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary - Revision history

>GreenC bot at 16:15, 16 April 2021