Kutch Bustard Sanctuary -Kutch

About:

To protect these endangered wild birds, the Government has taken action and the Bustard Sanctuary in Kutch is now a flourishing home to these birds.The area is ideal for those wanting to see Great Indian Bustard in Gujarat. However, by no means is the area only for this endangered bird. An eco-tourist having interest in the whole spectrum of grassland fauna would find it a little paradise. Kutch Bustard Sanctuary provides food and shelter to an endangered bird of the Indian subcontinent-the Great Indian Bustard. In recent times, when this bustard has been almost wiped out from entire Gujarat, the significance of this place has been highlighted, at least for the state. The Sanctuary gets high conservation value for many other reasons also.

Besides the Indian Bustard, some of the other wild animals that you can feast your eye upon during your tour to Bustard Sanctuary, Kutch include Harriers, Eagles, Jungle Cat, Desert Cat, Chinkara and migratory birds. The best season to visit the Kutch Bustard Sanctuary is from late monsoon to winter. The nearest airport is at Bhuj which is at 110 km and the nearest railhead is the Naliya Railway Station which is 20 km from the sanctuary.

It is an area where species like lesser florican, chinkara and wolf inhabit; all of which are considered threatened in one or the other ways IUCN criteria or Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Also owing to the presence of black partridge, the importance of the PA is heightened. This is a grassland habitat with sparse vegetation of bushy Zyziphus sp. The entire Sanctuary is predominated by this single habitat.

A variety of grassland birds are seen here. An eco-tourist can assured of seeing the endangered Great Indian Bustard (`Ghorad`) in a suitable season. About a dozen bustards were recorded here in 1989. Present population is about two dozen in the taluka. Forest Department had also recorded three nesting sites of the Lesser Florican. The Sanctuary is good place to see this bird. One of the largest concentrations of this species in the State is found in this Sanctuary. Recently, in 1999, 66 floricans (mainly males) had been recorded here.

Location info:

Climate/Weather:

History:

Interesting things to do:

Interesting things to Visit:

Iinterests in the Kutch Bustard Sanctuary:

• Jungle Cat
• Desert Cat
• Chinkara or Indian Gazelle
• Caracal
• Floricans
• Houbara Bustards
• Black Patridge or 'Kalo Tetar'
• Harriers
• Common Crane
• Eagles

Mobile range info:

How to reach?

Nearest Visiting places:

Narayan Sarovar Sancuary:
Located about only 2 kms away from the Kutch district in Gujarat, the Narayan Sarovar Chinkara Sanctuary is considered as one of the most unique wildlife sanctuaries in India. The sanctuary is also known as the Narayan Sarovar Wildlife Sanctuary and is mainly dedicated at preserving and conserving the endangered species of Chinkara or the Indian Gazelle. The sanctuary was established in April, 1981 and has been holding a special place among the nature lovers all over the world, since then.

Bhuj:
This is known as the famous walled city of the state, Bhuj has its great importance of ancient values and historical backgrounds to denote that it is one of the ancient spots in the country. The town wall is measured as 35ft high and 4ft thick, an unimaginable mega structure engineering those days have taken place, is now a history and talk of the town too. previously , Bhuj was the capital of the native state of Kutch, and this city was under the rule of Jadeja Rajputs till Independence.As this spot has various places of historical values such as old palaces and museums around, namely the museum of Gujarat, Prag Mahal, Aina Mahal, Sarad Bagh palace, Kutch museum. The most heart felt hall mark of this town is the 2001 earthquake the devastation that demolished almost all hope and pride of this town. Yet, Bhuj has its tourist values to be visited.

Anjar:
The major spots of tourist visit is the shrine of Jesai Toral and the bungalow of James Mcmurdo and the other spots of visit is Ajaypal temple and the holy shrine of Pinjora Pir are the locations of spirituality and serenity. The famous Jesai-Toral fair is organized here for a celebration of colorful culture in the district. Anjar is famously known for its block printing works, nutcrackers, scissors and penknives manufacturing

Bela:
This spot is in the borders of Rann of Kutch which is a famous for its wild ass sanctuary. It is a hill station named Nilva. Nature and nature everywhere would mesmerize everyone in a visit.

Chitrod:
This place evoked into regular inhabitance during the separation and displacement of the people India. The name of this place reveals the great Mahatma’s ashes which are immersed at Kandla Creek. Kandla is the only free trade region of the country and is situated 12 km to the southeast of Gandhidham. The other important tourist interests are Khavada, Bhardeshwar, and Purneshwar.

Kera:
This town is known to be the ancient place of Gujarat, the famous 10th century holy shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva is situated here, Kera was once the capital of the famous ruler Lakho Fulani, this ancient ruler have left back a marvelous monument during his reign, namely kapilkot fort, this is one of the tourist attraction here. Apart from this the major annual event of Urs celebrations at the shrine of Gulam Ali Shah, pulls in thousands and thousands of devotees from various spots of the country.

Lakhpat:
Today, this spot is noted to be a remote area with less inhabitants sojourn right here, perhaps! The erstwhile living was massive during the year 1851 and known to be as the important trade zone. It is said that by Rao Lakha who founded this place , therefore they name Lakhpat and also there are other reasons to define the name, such as, during the greenish days of living ,the people of Lakhpat made 1,00,000 kori a day ( an old currency of Kutch state) this spot is exactly situated at the junction of Kori Creek and Rann of Kutch on the Pakistan borders, this fortified town is noted for its high walls and gates and bastions of hard stone, of course almost everything around here is perished and looks deserted.

Mandvi:
This spot is said to be the biggest tourist location of the state, the town is famously known for its historical values dates back even before 18th centuries. This town is a port of Maharao of Kutch and it is located on the banks of Rukmavati River in the Gulf of Kutch, at the west coastal in India. The major tourist spot of visit is the Mandvi port which is known to be very ancient and trade zone of handicraft items. The docks at the beach is also a famous spot, where you watch ship building, then the ancient temple of Mulnayak devoted to Bhagawan Shantinath is also an attraction at this port. The Vijay Vilas Palace situated around 8km were once the retreat centre of Maharaos of Kutch during summer, this palace ages from 1940 and exhibits great architectural values and textures designs of great workmanship. The next best landmarks are the famous Aina mahal built in the mid -18th century by Ram Singh and the tomb of Gosh Mohammad, Gurdwara and some more Hindu based temples are the added attractions nearby. The Kalyaneshwar temple and the Narayan Sarovar situated 49 km near and Koteshwar adds an enlighten trip over here, this town of old age offers a splendid trip on sight seeing enrolls old buildings of princely times, chronological palaces and temples, apart from this the town offers valuables of silverware, shell work items, Kutch embroideries, tie- dye sarees, block prints and Bandhini- a form of cloth printing for purchase.

Mundra:
This is another coastal city of the state, and famously known as ‘the Paris of Kutch’ which was founded during the reign of Rao Bhojraji (1633-1645). The famous attraction here is the high fortified stone wall constructed of huge massive blocks taken from the ruins of Bhadreshwar, a holy city of Jains. The major produces of products are the handicrafts of Mundra, tie-dye, block prints and Namda works of Mansoori people are famous and awesome.

Tera:
This is a Teerth and an ancient temple situated here as the major attraction of tourist. The Tera fort known as Darbargarh is situated here as an added attraction, this place is surrounded by ancient temples, havelis, forts and lakes as tourist trips at serene… the temple of Shri Shymala Parshwanath Bhagvan and Shri Naliya Teerth are the another major tourist attractions nearby.

Dholavira:
Above all the Harappan sites, the site of Dholavira nearby known as Kotada, in the Khadir island of Kutch stands separately. It is memorable for its wonderful planning and vastness of area and deposit. Currently, we can say that it is one of the two largest arrangements in India and the fourth or fifth largest in the subcontinent. The others arrangements are: Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, Gharo Bhiro (all in Pakistan) and Rakhigarhi (in India).Dholavira enjoys the exclusive characteristic of elastic a dedication of ten large sized signs of the Harappan script that is indeed the oldest sign-board of the world. A variety of used funerals structures is yet another feature of greater than importance throwing new light on the socio-religious beliefs by this means representative the presence of compound national groups in the Indus population of Dholavira.

Jakhau Port:
Jakhau Port in Kutch Jakhau Port is also one of the oldest ports of Kutch. Today, this port is only used for fisher men. Jakhau Port has its own importance. This is a very beautiful Port of Kutch. There is a centre for coastguard and water department of B.S.F. in Jakhau Port.

Kandla Port:
Kandla Port, a national port, is one of the eleven most important ports of India. This port is situated on Kandla stream. The first investigation of this stream was undertaken by the British Royal India Navy in 1851 and a detailed survey done in 1922. This port is developed by Joint project of Maharao Shree Khengarji-III and British Government in the 19th century. Standard dry cargo treatment capacity of Kandla Port is 24,000 metric tons per day.

Koteshwar:
In the district of Lakhpat is situated the temple of Koteshwar which is a holy place of pilgrimage in Kutch. There is an ancient story attached with it. They say that King Ravana wanted to be immortal and did tapasya of God Shiva. Lord Shiva gifted him with Ling which he could worship and become immortal. But in arrogance he dropped the ling, which on touching the ground turned into a thousand Lings. King Ravana could not recognize the original ling, and so the boon was lost. There were a thousand lings at that place so the Gods of heaven decided to build this temple and name it Koteshwar.

Bhadreshwar Jain Temple:
Bhadreshwar Jain Temple in Kutch There are a number of temples built by Jain followers in Kutch. The Bhadreshwar temple, one of the most ancient temples situated in Bhadrawati, considered a very holy place is one such. Bhadrawati was ruled by King Sidhsen in 449 B.C (according to the Hindu calendar) who renovated the place. Later it was ruled by The Solankies who were Jains, and they changed the name to Bhadreshwar. Then in 1315, a great famine struck Kutch, after which the place was renovated by Jagadusha.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

IBP Petrol Pump:Gandhidham,Kutch,Gujarat,India

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Hotel Mahir: Mandvi,Kutch,Gujarat,India,ph:02834 222090

Things to carry:

Tips & Suggestions:

Help Line/Phone Number: