Little Rann of Kutch

NEWS: Saltpan workers debarred from entering Little Rann write to Gujarat CM requesting state intervention

• Saltpan workers (commonly known as agariyas) urged the state to intervene in response to instructions from forest department that restricted their entry into the Little Rann of Kutch
• Little Rann of Kutch was declared a wild ass sanctuary in 1972.
• Saltpan Workers’ Land Use: Saltpan workers use only 6% of the total land area for salt cultivation in Little Rann of Kutch, which is negligible in both quantity and space.
• Census data ruled out the possibility of man-animal conflict in the Wild Ass Sanctury due to work of Saltpan workers.
• Koli, Sandhi, and Miyana communities residing in 100-125 villages around the Little Rann of Kutch in North Gujarat, Kutch, and Saurashtra regions are dependent on salt cultivation in the area called Saltpan workers.

Wild Ass Sanctuary:

• It is in the Little Rann of Kutch of the Gujarat State in India.
• It is the only place where the Indian wild ass, locally called Khacchar, is found.
• Distribution: World’s last population of Indian Wild Ass is restricted to Rann of Kachchh, Gujarat.
• Habitat: Desert and grassland ecosystems.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Near threatened.
  • CITES: Appendix II
  • Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Schedule-I

Practice Questions for Prelims

Which one of the following is the best example of repeated falls in sea level, giving rise to present-day extensive marshland? (UPSC 2023)
a) Bhitarkanika Mangroves
b) Marakkanam Salt Pans
c) Naupada Swamp
d) Rann of Kutch

Ans. d)

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