Lakhpat

Kutch Bustard Sanctuary
Location: Abdasa
District: Kuchh
The best time to visit the area is from late monsoon to winter.
Great Indian Bustard, Lesser florican are the main species here.

This is a small area of just 2 sq. km, pulsating with avifaunal and mammalian life of the grassland habitat. This is located in the vast tract of grassland ecosystem of Abdasa taluka, was established in 1992. It is situated near Nalia and covers the forest area of Jakhau and Budia villages.

The area is ideal for those wanting to see Great Indian Bustard in Gujarat. However, by no means is the area only for this endangered bird. An eco-tourist having interest in the whole spectrum of grassland fauna would find it a little paradise. Kuchh Bustard Sanctuary provides food and shelter to an endangered bird of the Indian subcontinent-the Great Indian Bustard. In recent times, when this bustard has been almost wiped out from entire Gujarat, the significance of this place has been highlighted, at least for the state.

The species like lesser florican, chinkara and wolf. all of which are considered threatened in one or the other ways by IUCN criteria or Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Also owing to the presence of black partridge, the importance of the Protection Act is heightened. This is a grassland habitat with sparse vegetation of bushy Zyziphus sp. The entire Sanctuary is predominated by this single habitat.

A variety of grassland birds are seen here. An eco-tourist can assured of seeing the endangered Great Indian Bustard ('Ghorad') in a suitable season. About a dozen bustards were recorded here in 1989. Present population is about two dozen in the taluka. Forest Department had also recorded three nesting sites of the Lesser Florican. The Sanctuary is good place to see this bird. One of the largest concentrations of this species in the State is found in this Sanctuary. Recently, in 1999, 66 floricans (mainly males) had been recorded here.

Black Partridge ('Kalo Tetar') is seen very frequently, which enhances the joy of birding. It may be noted that Black Partridge is seen only in limited areas of the state. The Sanctuary is also a good place to see raptors like harriers and eagles and migratory birds like Houbara Bustard and Common Crane.

The area of the grassland under protection is very small in the large tract of grassland in the region. In other words, the area is too small to provide adequate protection to wildlife of the area. There is a critical need to expand this Sanctuary.

Getting There

• By Air: The Nearest airport is Bhuj (110 kms).
• By Road: The Nearest bus station is Nalia (20 kms).
• By Rail: The Nearest Railway station - Nalia - 20 kms
  

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