Place Details:
Home to the endangered Great Indian bustard, the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary is the smallest sanctuary in the country spread over just two sq km. Located near Nalia in Kutch district of Gujarat; it is one of the two bustard sanctuaries in Gujarat. The other one is in Jamnagar. Also known as Lala-Parijan sanctuary; it was declared a sanctuary in July 1992 to safeguard the Great Indian bustard. The Great Indian Bustard is a large bird with a horizontal body and long bare legs giving it an ostrich like appearance. It is among the heaviest of the flying birds.
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The Kutch Bustard sanctuary is home to three species of Bustards – the Great Indian bustard, lesser floricans and the macqueen Bustard. Among the three, the population of Great Indian Bustard is reported to be declining and the bird is critically endangered. The sanctuary at Kutch has the largest concentration of bustards, second only to the Desert National Park of Rajasthan.
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The Great Indian bustard, locally called as ‘Ghorad’ lives in the open. The bird breeds during the rains and it is also the best time to visit the sanctuary. The sanctuary is also home to several other species of birds including harriers, common cranes, black partridges, sand grouses, black and grey francolin and many others. One also gets to see wild animals like wolf, desert cat, blue bull, striped hyena, etc. Tourists can also spot flamingos, herons, egrets in the coastal areas of Jakhau during winters.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT KUTCH
The average minimum and maximum temperature of Kutch is as given below. The best time to visit Kutch is also specified.