The Great Rann of Kachchh (Kutch)

India / Gujarat / Rapar /
 wetland, marsh, salt lake, salt pan / flat
The Great Rann of Kachchh (or Rann of Kachchh) is a vast desert-like seasonal, marshy, saline mudflat. It covers an area of about 7,000 miles² (18,000 km²) and lies almost entirely within Gujarāt state, India, along the border with Pakistan.
Originally an extension of the Arabian Sea, the Rann of Kachchh has been closed off by centuries of silting. During the time of Alexander the Great it was a navigable lake, but it is now an extensive mudflat, inundated during monsoon seasons. Settlement is limited to low, isolated hills.


A major economic activity of the region is salt extraction by evaporation of salted groundwater in ponds during the dry season. This activity is practiced the Agariya community who extract salt in harsh working conditions and have issues with the government about land rights. The region is afflicted by a limited access to drinkable water due to the high local salinity of aquifers.
To learn more : www.thebetterindia.com/73603/agariyas-salt-farmers-rann...
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Rann_of_Kutch
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   24°7'9"N   70°13'36"E

Comments

  • It is also known as 'The Great Indian Salt Lake'.
  • Excellent Description and polygon
  • The Rann of Kutch situated in the Southeast of Pakistan is an inland sea. However most of the upper part drives up in the summer months. During this period, all kinds of vehicles can move across. The northern part of the Rann is bordered by the great Thar desert and the ancient coast line forms the divide between the Rann and the desert. The Thar desert is comprised of extensive longitudinal dunes which are 3 to 15 kilometers long and have a relief of 20 to 100 meters. No roads existed in 1965 but four wheeled vehicles could move with some difficulty, along the camel and cart tracks, which intersected each other in the wide-open spaces. Small-inhabited areas dotted the area. The larger ones being Chachro, Mithi Islamkot, and Diplo.