Gujarat is as famous for its large Asiatic wild ass herds as it is for
its lions. To protect there rare animals, Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary covering
an area of over 4953.71 sq. Km. was created to offer protection to more
than 2,100 wild assess inhabititing this area. The sanctuary was established
in 1972.
Also known as the Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary, it is
located in the Little Rann of Kutch in the Gujarat state. One of the largest
wildlife sanctuary in India, it is the only place, where the Asiatic Wild
Ass species Onager (Equus hemionus) locally called Khacchar is found.
The Rann is one of the rare and unique landscapes of its kind in the entire
world. Due to its biological diversity and endangered species such as
dalmatian pelican, lesser flamingo, sarus crane, caracal, desert fox,
black cobra etc., the sanctuary is all set to be enlisted as a World Natural
Heritage site in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage. The Little Rann
lies south east of the Great Rann, and large parts are flooded to depths
upt to 2 m during the monsoon.
The Rann can be considered a large ecotone, a transitional
area between marine and terrestrial ecosystems. During the monsoon, a
large parts are flooded to depths of up to 2m. It is dotted with about
74 salt-free higher grounds, locally called 'bets'. The famous bets are
the Pung-bet, Vacha-bet and the Jhilandan-bet. Also there are intermediary
areas that have less salt content, known as kala lana areas.
Flora
The sanctuary has no vegetation except dry thorny scrub. But
some of the higher land has acacia. Large portion of Little Rann of Kachchh
has been covered by Prosopis chilensis. The other plants and trees are
that found in this sanctuary are Morad, Unt morad, Theg, Dolari, Khijdo,
Kerdo, Mithi jar, Kheri pilu, Akado etc.
Fauna
Besides, Indian Wild Ass, the other mammals found here include Blackbuck,
Nilgai, Bluebull, Hare, Wolf, Foxes, Desert Cat, Indian fox, Jackal, Hyena,
Wild boar etc. There is a rich birdlife, including Houbara bustard, Sandgrouse,
Pale harrier, Black shouldered kite, Pelican, several birds of prey, Herons,
Spoonbill, Great crested grebe, Common cranes, many water birds and a
breeding colony of Greater and Lesser Flamingoes a Surajbari.
The sanctuary offers in an open jeep to its visitors.
The Rann Riders Resort in Dasada (Muzahid Malik at +919879786006) and
the Royal Safari Camp in Bajana (+919925200657) also organizes safaris
to the Sanctuary.
Opens : Sunrise to Sunset. Since it is located in a sensitive
border area, one have to get prior persmission to visit this sanctuary.
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Wildlife 
