Kutch
is an erstwhile princely state of India. It is the largest district
of the state of Gujarat and the second largest district in India
covering an area of 45,612 sq kms. The land is virtually 'an island'
resembling a tortoise "Katchua or Kachbo", surrounded
by seawater. Kutch was also known as the kutchdweep or Kutchbet."
The Great Rann of Kutch" which dominates a major portion
of the district. The Great Rann of Kutch and the Little Rann of
Kutch respectively-uninhabitable deserts which during the monsoon
season (June to October) is often completely submerged by floods.
Area
:
45, 612 sq. km.
State
:
Gujarat.
Location
:
West Coast of India.
Kutch
is divided into 5 distinct regions :
(i) The Great Rann, or uninhabited wasteland in the north,
(ii) The Grasslands of Banni,
(iii) Mainland, consisting of planes, hills and dry river beds,
(iv) The Coastline along the Arabian Sea in the south, and
(v) Creeks and mangroves in the west. More loosely, the southern
portion of the Rann is considered an island, with seawater inundating
the land for most of the year. The mainland is generally plane,
but has some hill ranges and isolated hills.
Talukas
of Kutch :
Bhuj, Anjar, Mandvi, Mundra, Abdasa-Nalia, Lakhpat, Rapar, Bhachau
and Nakhatrana
Demographic
distribution :
Number of villages - 950
Seismic
History :
The earliest earthquake recorded in Kutch dates back to 16th June
1819. Since then, over 90 earthquakes of varying intensity have
struck the region, but none as severe as the most recent one.
Climate
:
Extreme climate & temperature ranges from 20 C in winter to
450 C in summer.
Rainfall is very less while average annual rainfall - 14 inches.
The three main seasons are:
(i) Summer, from February to June,
(ii) Monsoon season, from July to September,
(iii) Winter, from October to January.
Languages
:
Gujarati, Hindi, and local dialects like Kutchi
Best
Time to Visit :
Late October to early April
Wild
Life :
The home of the last remaining population of khur (wild ass) in
India. There is also a bird population, particularly of the large
flamingos. Both are protected in 5,000 km Little Rann Sanctuary,
near Dhangadhra; one has to get permission to enter from the sanctuary
superintendent's office in Dhangadhra.
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