LRK (Little Rann Of Kutch)
Being a wildlife photographer, I always admire to visit places providing eternal probabilities for exploration. When it comes to discovering new things and beholding myriad beautiful sites, one can never underestimate the Little Rann of Kutch. The desert is an adorable place on earth and an exact assortment furnishing unforgettable views and phenomenal experiences. It is virtually a salt marsh tracked down in Rann of Kutch in Kutch district of Gujarat.
Talking about its size, the Little Rann of Kutch is what it says on the tin. It is stretched over 5,000 sq km. The logic behind the name is its comparison with the Greater Rann of Kutch, the salt desert, spreading across 7,500 sq km, residing next door.
My drive to one of the country's largest wildlife reserves was bulged with surprises. The terrain made the journey pretty adventurous. From massive marshlands to brown-grey patches of soil, thorny forests, to scorched and cracked earth expanded as far as the eyes can see. Here mirages overflow and dry air undertow delivering you the true impressions of Rajasthan.
Talking about the elegance of the coastal ecosystem, Little Rann of Kutch is home to a wide variety of birds. You can discover water birds, local and migratory birds in abundance. You'll find spectacular scenery of cranes, ducks, pelicans, flamingos gliding over the waters.The salt lake is home to species like flamingos, storks, cormorants, pelicans, sand grouse, ducks, grey legged geese, lapwings and peacocks. Plenty of terrestrial birds like sandgrouse, francolins, the great Indian bustards and MacQueen's bastard raptors birds Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Steppe Eagle, Imperial Eagle rule the desert land. Numerous species of Harriers and Short-eared Owl are also found here.
Animals which always capture my eye include the desert fox, jungle cat, jackal and hyena.
The Wild Ass Sanctuary of The Little Rann of Kutch
Besides its abundance in biodiversity, there is one more thing that catches the attention of visitors the most. The Little Rann of Kutch is the last refuge of the Indian Wild Ass on Earth. Given the glorious fact, it has made the reserve the only Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary.
The Indian wild ass along with a white-footed fox can always be spotted covering the majority of the region.
Bird watchers like me always find this ecological area, the place to fetch ecstasy. Hundreds of birds particularly flamingoes and demoiselle cranes fluttering at some water bodies is a mesmerising sight. The marshlands and Nava Talao are brimming with multiple species of these tiny creatures.
Jeep Safari
A Jeep Safari is the best choice for a vehicle to explore the rough terrain of the Little Rann of Kutch. You can take your vehicle into the sanctuary. But I recommend not to do so as this isolated area with no roads or landmarks is nothing less than a labyrinth. There is no protection of trees or shrubs between your vehicle and the wildlife. It is not possible to get too close to the animals, though. With that said take an expert guide to break through the unknown wilderness.
Explore the Tour
