Kutch Little Rann Wild Ass Ecology Gujarat Conservation

The Little Rann of Kutch in Surendranagar and Patan districts of Gujarat is the last remaining habitat of the Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur, locally called Khur or Ghudkhur) in the world. The Wild Ass Sanctuary, established in 1973, protects 4953 square kilometres of seasonally flooded salt flats and thorny scrub where 6000+ wild ass graze in herds of 10-200. The Rann ecology supports flamingos (one of the largest breeding populations in the world at Flamingo City), wolves, blue bulls, and migratory birds. Agaria salt workers who share the Rann with wildlife have cooperated with the Wildlife Institute of India on wildlife corridor preservation programmes. Eco-tourism cooperatives in Dasada offer jeep safaris and nature camps to support conservation.