White Rann

The Black Hills (Kalo Dungar)

5 kms north of Khavda, the top of the Black Hills is the highest point in Kutch, at 462 m. From here, the entire northern horizon vanishes into the Great Rann, the desert and sky often becoming indistinguishable. It is one of the few non-coastal locations where you feel like you are at the edge of the earth, on the brink of incomprehensible vastness that fades off towards infinity. Looking out from the Black Hills, you can understand the tremendous effort that those who undertake the crossing of the Great Rann have to make. Since this is one of the places where a civilian can get closest to the Pakistan border, there is an Army post at the top; beyond here, only military personnel are allowed. The hill is also the site of a 400-year-old temple to Dattatreya, the three-headed incarnation of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva in the same body. Legend says that when Dattatreya walked on the earth, he stopped at the Black Hills and found a band of starving jackals. Being a god, he offered them his body to eat and as they ate, his body continually regenerated itself. Because of this, for the last four centuries, the priest at the temple has prepared a batch of prasad that is fed to the jackals after the evening aarti.

Banni Grasslands

The Banni region emerged from the sea as a result of tectonic activities, received soils from the rivers flown from Bhuj mainland and ends in Greater Rann of Kutch. Soils deposited by the rivers and the wind, made the land of Banni richer enough that is could generate diverse grass species, once reported up to 40 grass species, mostly palatable with saline grass species. Banni grassland supports numerous animal genetic resources like Banni buffalo, Kankrej Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Camel, and horse. This grassland acts as breeding and nesting ground for more than 250 bird species, including resident, winter migratory birds. Banni region, situated at 23°19’N to 23°52’N to 68°56’E to 70°32’E, comprises around 3000 sq.km area under Bhuj taluka of Kutch district, is home of Muslim nomadic pastoralists and Meghwal Hindus. Pastoral lifestyle of the communities not only conserved its rich animal genetic resources but also protected the Banni grassland ecosystem.

Bhirandiyara – A Beautiful Kutch Village

This small village It was a cluster of about 20 houses and every member of the village is an artisan in some way. All the houses are made in the similar fashion – round and conical with mud brick roofs. The walls were painted with clay. Some were white-washed. It was very neat and clean.

Rakshak Van

Rakshak van is a fine place for nature lovers, for the one who enjoys the peace provided by Mother Nature. It is basically a garden spread out in a huge area, where anywhere you see, you see green. The places of these kinds gives you splash of oxygen in the world which is loaded with pollution. This garden or say mini forest is located at Saraspar village near Rudra Mata Dam.

The “Rakshak van” named after the brave and courageous women of Kutch who rebuilt the airstrip of Bhuj airport in an overnight’s time. The story of these women dates back to December 8, 1971; this was the time during Indo-Pak war. When Pakistan dropped 14 nepalm bombs on Bhuj region and air strip in Bhuj was completely destroyed. The official took quick decision, that airstrip must be restored by the locals, so the local women of madhapar village, who were the daily wagers were given the task of restoring the airstrip. They completed this task in less than 72 hours, even in that horrible condition of war. They had to take shelter in bunkers when the siren calls; also they covered the strip with cow dung to camouflage the airstrip from the enemy’s plane. These women deserve every bit of respect they are getting.