About
Dr. Bharatkumar Bhate is an M.S. General Surgeon (Gold Medalist) by qualification, with an experience of 30,000+ operations, and is based in Rajkot, Gujarat. He is an avid reader and a passionate writer. In this blog, he shares his travel experiences and creative reflections.
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🌴 Blog 03 of 03 | Day 2 at Little Rann of Kutch (LRK), Gujarat
By Dr. Bharatkumar Bhate
Visited in February 2026
This is the third and final blog in my 3-part LRK travel
series, based on my visit to this fascinating place in February 2026, organized
by the Association of Surgeons of Rajkot.
In this concluding blog, I share the experiences of Day 2 of
our two-day journey.
Wings
Over the Salt
The Little Rann of Kutch (LRK) in Gujarat is far more than
just a salt desert.
From October to March, this extraordinary landscape
transforms into a paradise for bird lovers, attracting over 300 species of
resident and migratory birds.
One could truly call it a world-class avian theatre.
Because LRK lies along major migratory routes, it becomes a
literal “airport for birds,” receiving winged visitors from distant regions
such as Siberia and Europe. The stark landscape of cracked earth, shimmering
salt pans, and seasonal wetlands creates an ecosystem that supports an
astonishing variety of birdlife.
For birders, photographers, and nature enthusiasts, this
makes LRK a remarkable destination.
Best time of day
Early morning is ideal because bird activity is at its peak
and the soft light enhances observation and photography.
Late afternoon (after 3 PM) offers dramatic golden light
over the salt pans and beautiful desert landscapes.
Among the many birding locations in LRK, Bajana Wetland
stands out as an important hotspot.
Its shallow marshy stretches teem with insects and aquatic
organisms, providing abundant nutrient-rich food for birds. The open landscape
also makes Bajana especially rewarding for both beginners and experienced
photographers.
Two kinds of wetlands are commonly seen here:
Shallow waters – Perfect for spotting Greater Flamingos,
Lesser Flamingos, Common Cranes, and a wide variety of waders.
Deep waters – In deeper lake sections one may observe large
flocks of ducks and occasionally the impressive Dalmatian Pelicans.
Photography tips
·
Carry a high magnification telephoto lens
because birds are often at a distance.
·
Use bean bags or monopods for stability in open
jeep safaris.
·
Wear neutral-coloured clothing to blend with the
surroundings.
·
Protect your equipment from salt and dust.
Guidelines for visitors
·
Do not step into the wetlands – the mud can be
dangerously soft and sticky.
·
Never feed or lure birds closer for photographs.
·
Maintain silence and avoid sudden movements.
·
Always respect this fragile ecosystem.
Concluding thoughts on birding
Bird watching in the Little Rann of Kutch is not merely
about spotting species.
It is about appreciating nature’s resilience, supporting
conservation efforts, and developing a deeper respect for the fragile beauty of
our natural world.
Ass
Watching in LRK
The biggest claim to fame of LRK is the Indian Wild Ass
Sanctuary.
Spread across vast salt flats and arid grasslands, this
surreal white desert is home to the rare Indian Wild Ass, locally known as the
Khur.
The Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur), also called
Ghudkhur, is a striking animal. Though called an ass, it is far from an
ordinary donkey. Many naturalists describe it as possessing features somewhere
between a horse and a donkey.
These animals are sleek, tall, strong, and extremely fast.
They have a beautiful golden-fawn coat with a distinctive dark stripe running
along the back.
It is said that they can run at speeds approaching 70 km per
hour, sometimes even racing alongside moving jeeps. Visitors should therefore
avoid teasing or provoking them. An agitated wild ass can easily strike a jeep
with considerable force and may even break the glass, causing injury.
Most of my earlier wildlife safaris for various animals have
been in dense green forests, where spotting animals is often difficult. This
Kutch desert safari was therefore a very different experience. The wide-open
landscape, with sparse bushes and thorny vegetation, makes it difficult for
animals to hide. As a result, both birds and asses can often be spotted with relative ease.
Historically these animals once roamed widely across South
Pakistan, Iran, and parts of Rajasthan. However, a disease called Surra caused
their near extinction around 1962, leaving only about 860 animals surviving in
the Rann of Kutch. Fortunately, conservation efforts in the Indian Wild Ass
Sanctuary have proved remarkably successful. By 2020 the population had risen
to more than 6000 animals, making this reserve one of India’s most successful
wildlife preservation stories.
These animals are remarkably resilient. They can survive
temperatures as low as 1°C in winter and as high as 50°C during the scorching
summer months.
A natural question arises – can they be domesticated like
horses or donkeys? The answer is No. They do not adapt well to captivity and rarely live long in
zoos.
Watching a herd gallop freely across the open desert is
therefore an unforgettable sight.
Do not miss it.
The
Salt Pans (Agariyas)
The Little Rann of Kutch is not only a sanctuary; it is also
a place of intense human labour.
Here live the Agariyas – the traditional salt farmers who
produce nearly 75% of India’s salt.
During our journey across the desert we stopped at one such
location where a family was engaged in salt extraction. They explained the
process of making salt.
Watch the process of making salt from below YouTube Video uploaded by WildFilmsIndia channel:
During the monsoon the entire Rann remains flooded with
water. As winter approaches, the water gradually evaporates, leaving behind
salt crystals. The Agariyas keep these crystals moving so that large solid
stones of salt are not formed. Once ready, the crystals are collected in bags
and transported to salt factories for further processing.
The underground water here is extremely saline. Solar panels
can be seen in many places, providing power for pumps used to draw this
underground water. This water is spread over the dry Rann and allowed to
evaporate again. The crystals are stirred regularly to prevent large stone
formation.
Watching this process offers a deep appreciation for the
hard work and resilience of the Agariya community.
Final
reflections : Our two-day journey through the Little Rann of
Kutch turned out to be far richer than we had initially imagined. From the vast
desert landscapes and migratory birds to the wild asses and the hardworking
Agariyas, LRK offers a unique blend of wildlife, ecology and human endurance.
For anyone interested in nature, wildlife, photography,
or simply experiencing something different, LRK deserves a place on the
travel map.
Before concluding this 3-Blog series, I must acknowledge the
excellent arrangements made by the Association of Surgeons of Rajkot for
this memorable picnic. From travel logistics to accommodation and the
well-planned safari experience, everything was organized smoothly and
thoughtfully. Equally enjoyable was the company of fellow surgeon friends and
their families. Away from the operation theatre and the demanding schedules of
medical practice, these two days provided a wonderful opportunity to relax,
reconnect and share laughter in a beautiful natural setting. Experiences like
these strengthen professional bonds and create memories that remain long after
the journey ends.
If you have not yet read the earlier blogs in this series,
you may explore them here:
Click to read - Blog 01: Introduction to LRK and the ecological
uniqueness of the region.
Click to read - Blog 02: Sunset at LRK, visit to Varnindra Dham, and our stay at Bhavna
Resort.
✍️ Dr. Bharatkumar Bhate