Capital of Gujarat, Ahmedabad is the largest city of the state and is located on the banks of the river Sabarmati. Most people of India associate Gujarat, and particularly Ahmedabad with textiles. Gujarati embroidery, handicrafts and artwork are very popular both within the country and outside, which is why Ahmedabad has earned the name ‘Manchester of the East’. In 2012 Ahmedabad also earned the title of ‘Best City To Live In’ by the Times of India.
Ahmedabad offers many sights to see, but the weekend getaways from Ahmedabad are sure to blow your mind. Just ninety kilometres North West of Ahmedabad is a place called Dasada, which lies on the edge of the Little Rann
of Kutch. The Little Rann of Kutch is an extension of the Great Rann of Kutch into the Saurashtra region. It is literally just a salt marsh located in the state of Gujarat, only, it remains the world’s last refuge of the Indian Wild Ass or Khur. The region has been declared as an Indian Wild Ass sanctuary for conservation of these animals as they are an endangered species. This wildlife sanctuary is the largest in India, spread over an area of 4954 square kilometres.
The Little Rann of Kutch is not famous only for this reason, it is also a biodiversity hotspot and there are birds of all sorts that are seen in this area. The Forest department of India has declared this region as a biodiversity reserve and it is also recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Bird watchers, photographers and nature lovers alike are drawn to this place like bees to honey. One can see mammals such as the Indian Wolf, the Desert Fox and the Nilgai as well as many migratory water birds, desert birds and raptors here. The vulnerable species of Indian bustards can be spotted here as well.
The best time of the year to visit the Little Rann of Kutch is between October and March. Accommodation is not difficult to find, and one can go on a safari to see all the above mentioned birds and animals. At first, going by the barren terrain that seems to stretch for kilometres together, you may not think you will be able to see any life on the plains, but keep your eyes peeled – there aren’t just signs of life here, it is a region thriving with wildlife activity