Kutch Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 80 km from Mandvi, 109 km from Bhuj and 173 km from Gateway of Rann, Kutch Bustard Sanctuary or Kachchh Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary is a protected area located near Jakhau village in Kutch district of Gujarat. Also known as Lala-Parjan Sanctuary, it is one of the two great Indian Bustard sanctuaries in Gujarat, and among the must-include places in Mandvi tour packages.

Kutch Bustard Sanctuary was declared as a sanctuary in July 1992 to safeguard the Great Indian Bustard from hunting and poaching. Home to the endangered Great Indian bustard, this is the smallest sanctuary in the country spread over just 2 sq. km. Several suggestions have been made to vastly increase the size of this sanctuary as it is a breeding ground of the endangered Great Indian Bustard, the heaviest flying bird belonging to the avian family of Otididae.

Varied vegetation, semi-arid grasslands, and marshy swamps make Kutch Bustard Sanctuary an ideal home for Great Indian Bustard. It has the largest concentration of bustards, second only to the Desert National Park of Rajasthan. Regarded as among the best Mandvi sightseeing places, the Kutch Bustard Sanctuary is home to three species of Bustards - the Great Indian bustard, lesser floricans, and the MacQueen Bustard. Among the three, the population of Great Indian Bustard is reported to be declining and the bird is critically endangered. Besides these endangered species, the sanctuary is home to stoliczkas, bushchats, merlins, flamingos, herons, egrets, sandpipers, harriers, common cranes, black partridges, sand grouses, and many others. One also gets to see wild animals like wolves, desert cats, blue bull, striped hyena, etc.

October to February is the best time to visit this sanctuary. The most ideal way to enjoy this retreat is, take a walk around the nature's cradle while befriending various species of the Bustard family. There is also a watchtower from there one can spot a flock of Indian Gazelle and wolves.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

Entry: Free