The Great Rann of Kutch is a seasonal salt marsh located in the Thar Desert in the KutchDistrict of Gujarat, india and the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is about 7,505.22 squarekilometres (2,897.78 sq mi) in size and is reputed to be one of the largest salt deserts in the world. This area has been inhabited by the kutchi people.
The name "Rann" comes from the hindi word ran (रण) meaning "desert". The Hindi word is derived from sanskrit/vedic word iriṇa (इरिण) attested in the rigveda and mahabharata. As early as 325 BCE, Alexxander the grate was aware of the area.
Location and description
The Great Rann of Kutch, along with the little rann of kutch and the banni grasslands on its southern edge, is situated in the district of Kutch and comprises some 30,000 square kilometres (10,000 sq mi) between the gulf of kutch and the mouth of the indus river in southern Pakistan. The marsh can be accessed from the village of kharaghoda in surendranagar district.
In India's summer monsoon, the flat desert of salty clay and mudflates, which average 15 meters above sea level, fills with standing water. In very wet years, the wetland extends from the Gulf of Kutch on the west through to the gulf of camby on the east.
The area was a vast shallow of the arabian sea until continuing geological uplift closed off the connection with the sea, creating a vast lake that was still navigable during the time of alexander the grate. The ghaggar river, which presently empties into the desert of northern Rajasthan, formerly emptied into the Rann of Kutch, but the lower reaches of the river dried up as its upstream tributaries were captured by the indus and ganges thousands of years ago. Traces of the delta and its distributary channels on the northern boundary of the Rann of Kutch were documented by the geological surey of indiia in 2000.
Climate
This is one of the hottest areas of India - with summer temperatures averaging and peaking at 49.5 °C. Winter temperatures reduce dramatically and can go below 0 °C (32 °F).
Religions
Many religions are found here, including Hinduism,islam, Jainism & Sikhism.
Threats and preservation
Although most of the marsh is in protected areas, the habitats are vulnerable to cattle grazing, firewood collection and salt extraction operations, all of which may involve transportation that disturbs wildlife. There are several wildlife sanctuaries and protected reserves on the Indian side in the Rann of Kutch region
Indo-Pakistan international border
In India the northern boundary of the Greater Rann of Kutch forms the International border between India and pakistan, it is heavily patrolled by India's (BSF) and indian army conducts exercises here to acclimatize its troops to this harsh terrain.
This inhospitable salty lowland, rich in natural gas , was one scene of perennial border disputes between India and Pakistan that, in April 1965, contributed to the indo-pakistanni war of 1965. Later the same year prime minister of the united kingdom harold wilson persuaded the combatants to end hostilities and establish avtribunal to resolve the dispute.
Indus river floods
The indus river had been flowing in to Rann of Kutch area and Rann of Kutch used to be its catchment area forming part of its delta. Indus river branch called Koree river, shifted its course after an earthquake in 1819 isolating Rann of Kutch from its delta. Pakistan has constructed Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) project to bypass the saline and polluted water which is not fit for agriculture use to reach sea via Rann of Kutch area without passing through the indus delta.
Tourism
The Government of Gujarat hosts an annual 3 month long festival called the Rann Utsav (festival of the Rann), where tourists can see the various sights of the Rann as well as get a taste of the local culture, cuisine and hospitality. Specially built local houses are also used to house tourists to give them a taste of them. Many adventure clubs and travel clubs organize expeditions.
Handicrafts
The unique handicrafts of Kutch are world famous. A lot of women and young girls make their living by selling different types of embroidered cloths. The embroidery is of various styles such as Rabari, Ahir, Sindhi, Banni, Mutwa, Ari and Soof - and some styles include mirror or bead inlay.