In news
Recently, over 250 chicks of greater flamingos separated from their flock and stuck in the mud at a breeding colony in Great Rann of Kutch (GRK) were rescued
About Great Rann of Kutch
- It is a salt marsh in the Thar Desert in the Kutch District of Gujarat, India.
- It is about 7500 km2 (2900 sq miles) in the area and is reputed to be one of the largest salt deserts in the world
- The area of Rann of Kutch has been inhabited by the Kutchi people
- Location: 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 Great Rann of Kutch together with the Little Rann of Kutch is called Rann of Kutch.
- During summer monsoon, the flat desert of salty clay and mudflats, 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 Cambay on the east.
- Climate: It 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
Wildlife sanctuaries and National parks and conservation reserves in Rann of Kutch:
- Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary, located in the Little Rann
- Kutch Bustard Sanctuary(Lala-Parjan Sanctuary): dedicated for the conservation and preservation of India’s heaviest flying bird – the Bustard
- Marine National Park:It is the first marine reserve of India, is located in the Gulf of Kutch
- Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary: It is located in the Great Rann of Kutch is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India area-wise
- Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary: It is known as the last remaining habitat of the cheetahs in India
- Banni Grasslands Reserve : I forms a belt of arid grassland ecosystem on the outer southern edge of the desert of the marshy salt flats of Rann of Kutch in Kutch District, Gujarat
- The Chari-Dhand wetland conservation reserve: It is located on the edge of arid Banni grasslands and the marshy salt flats of the Rann of Kutch in Kutch District, Gujarat State in India
About greater flamingos
- It is the most widespread and largest species of the flamingo family.
- It is found in Africa, on the Indian subcontinent, in the Middle East, and in southern Europe.
- IUCN status: Least Concern
- The greater flamingo is the largest living species of flamingo, averaging 110–150 cm (43–59 in) tall and weighing 2–4 kg (4.4–8.8 lb).
- The largest male flamingos have been recorded at up to 187 cm (74 in) tall and 4.5 kg (9.9 lb)
- In India, flamingos can be observed in Gujarat’s the Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Flamingo City, and in the Thol Bird Sanctuary.
- They remain there during the entire winter season.
Source:
The Indian Express
