Kutch Bustard Sanctuary is formed in the year 1992, to preserve the endangered species, i.e., the Great Indian Bustard. It is one of the sanctuaries in India which is trying to preserve this one of the heaviest flying birds, protecting it from being hunted and poached.
This sanctuary is located on the western side of Kutch. Visitors planning a trip to this spot should prepare themselves to get bowled over by its exquisiteness. The Kutch Bustard Sanctuary is primarily a grassland area blessed with a topography that is perfect for bird species.
Great Indian Bustards & Their Habitat
Great Indian Bustards are the largest among the four bustards found in India. Great Indian Bustards used to have ranges that included much of the Indian Subcontinent but it has now shrunken to 10 percent of it. Great Indian Bustards prefer grasslands as their habitats. Being terrestrial birds, they spend most of their time on the ground with occasional flights to go from one part of their habitat to another. They generally feed on lizards, insects, etc.
Flora & Fauna
Though the main highlight of this sanctuary is the Great Indian Bustard, you can not miss out on the opportunity of spotting so many bird species. In fact, if you got lucky, there are about 20 exotic varieties of birds. Locals have named the Great Indian Bustard as \’ghorad\’, because its weight and height are very similar to that of an ostrich. So, don\’t get confused if your guide points out to bustard calling it Ghorad.
Brink of Extinction
In February last year, the Central Govt. had told to the United Nations Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals held in Gandhinagar, that the GIB populations in India had fallen to just 150. Expert says, due to the species population and size, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has categorized Great Indian Bustards as Critically Endangered, and hence on the brink of extinction.
Things to do in Kutch
Kutch is said to be Shopper\’s paradise, after your trip to kutch bustard sanctuary, you will still have plenty of time to explore kutch. Some things you can buy from here are gold jewelry, shawls, & silver jewelry. In addition to that, you can also go for opulent palaces, ornate temples, and winding lanes. Furthermore, the camel safari is one thing you would love to experience here.
Best Time to Visit
During the arrival of the monsoon, and winter season. You should plan your visit to the Kutch Bustard Sanctuary nearby this time as it is perfect to take experience here.
