India has the vast diversity of nature with amazing characteristics. The Indians are nature lover since ancient times. Not only nature lover but they also worship nature as the mother nature. Gradually with the time the natural places are reducing so many species of birds and animals are declared as endangered species. But now we are trying to take steps to save endangered species. Many natural places are conserved by the government now by implementing wildlife protection acts. Chhari-Dhandh is such a conservative natural wetland that protects many living wildlife. Chhari-Dhandh is first Ramsar site of Kutch.
Chhari-Dhandh location: Chhari-Dhandh is a naturally water filled area located in Nakhatrana Taluka of Kutch. It is a part of the Banni grassland area of Kutch.
Meaning of Chhari Dhandh
- In the language the literary meaning of Chhari is salty.
- Chhari is the village name in which the Dhandh is located.
- Dhandh means the shallow water filled body in the local dialect of Kutch.
Naturally wetland area
Chhari-Dhandh is a naturally water filled area. This area is filled with water in monsoon season. When monsoon comes the rain water from small small hills and seasonal rivers flow in the shallow deep area of Chhari-Dhandh. The shape of the Dhandh is such a type that surrounding rain water flows towards it and it fills in monsoon season. In monsoon season it filled with rain water. In winter season this Dhandh becomes live due to migratory birds. But as the summer season comes water level decreases so salinity increases due to salt flats of the Rann.
Chhari-Dhandh the first Ramsar site of Kutch
what is Ramsar site? Ramsar site is an international importance wetland site that is designated for the conservation of biodiversity surrounding the wetland. It is an intergovernmental environmental treaty. This convention signed in Ramsar, Iran so, it is known as the Ramsar site.
Chhari-Dhandh is declared as the Ramsar site in January/February 2026. This gives national and international importance to this conservation place. Chhari-Dhandh holds natural biodiversity with flora and fauna. Many endangered species are seen here. This place is a part of Banni grassland that preserves the unique ecosystem.
Special grassland of Chhari-Dhandh Wetland Conservation Reserve
The Chhari-Dhandh fills in monsoon season and its surrounding reason becomes marshy land. This is the suitable land for the variety of grass growing. This area is very famous for its special grass. In monsoon season this special grass grows to the man’s height. When summer season comes, this grass dries and it is also useful as a dry fodder for the grazing animals. The many varieties of grass grow here. The local residence of Fulay village Suleman Mutva tells that the grass like ‘kal’, and `dir’ that has special property to resist water. The local says this grass is very useful to them for making Bhungo (hut). In the summer season when the water dries in the Dhandh, they can get this grass.
Birds’ fair in winter
The water logged area attracts many bird species from the world here. How the birds come here, finding their ways from the far places is the subject of interest. Mainly in the winter season the thousands of birds come here. Many species of birds are seen here like pelican, crane, duck bustard, eagle, sparrow and many more species. As per record more than 250 species are founded here. The most famous bird here is the ‘Kunj’ (crane) bird. Thousands of birds can be seen in the winter season here. More than 50,000 birds can be seen together in the winter season here. To observe them in this natural place is just incredible experience.
Conservation reserve of Gujarat government
Chhari-Dhandh is a protected area declared by the Gujarat government in 2008. In Chhari/Fulay village there is an eco tourism center of the forest department. It is about 22,700 hector protected areas for the natural wetland because of its unique eco system. As the Chhari-Dhandh is declared now as the Ramsar site, the international important site, the government has to develop some basic facilities to attract the tourists from the world.
watch towers Chhari-Dhandh
The visitors can watch the activities of birds through the metal watch tower of Fulay village. This tower comes little distance from the Dhandh so that visitors can see the birds by the binoculars without disturbing the birds. The birds spread in surrounding grass land cannot be seen easily. If any one wants to go near they fly away. So with the binoculars one can watch birds easily. After sunrise the flock of birds spread in the grassland area near the Dhandh and hills, and at the time of sunset one by one flock of birds return in the Dhandh. Another watch tower near the Dhandh helps the visitors to see the wide area of Dhandh. One can see the many activities of birds in Dhandh with using binoculars.
unique eco system
Chhari-Dhandh natural wetland reserves the unique eco system of nature. Not only migratory birds but also local bird species, insects, wild cats, wolf and other wild predictors are surviving here. Special Banni grass land is the home of grazing animals as well as of the birds and other animals. The dense grass land and water attracts the many species of birds and animals. Because of its unique ecosystem the government and local take special care of the reserve area. The most of the land surrounding Dhandh is covered by the grass, mitha / khara pilu (Salvadora), Babul trees and other local species of vegetation. The stock of water, fishes, nutritious vegetation and the suitable climate attract the birds and animals to make an environmental important place. The height of the grass, the shades of the trees, small small hills help birds the place to stay and hide. The grass is too dense in monsoon and winter to see far from it. This ecosystem preserves the rare species of animals, to make them alive freely without more interference of people.
visit Chhari-Dhandh by roads in winter season
For Chhari-Dhandh visit one can come by road transportation. Chhari-Dhandh is located at the deep rooted area of Kutch. From Bhuj it is around 70 kms and from Nakhatrana it is more than 30 kms. The roads near Chhari-Dhandh are most of single and muddy. The area come in deep so it is advisable to go with some local person or some guide. The nearest villages near Dhandh are very small so no other facility like hotels to stay there. In monsoon this area filled with water and seasonal river water blocks the roads for many hours. In monsoon most of the area near Dhandh becomes watery and muddy that no one can go there. So favourable visit time is after monsoon.
Chhari-Dhandh-a paradise for bird lovers and environmentalists
This whole area of Chhari-Dhandh is very interesting subject for environmentalists. Many researchers came here to study the unique place with flora and fauna. This is also subject of research that how the birds from different countries know about this place and how they get route from far places. The migratory birds come here from thousands of kms journey from distance places of the world. Many bird lovers come here to watch the birds, their movements, the different species, click their photos. With migratory birds, the local species and the magnificent creatures of nature make the place live. In winter the whole place fills with the different chirping sounds. One should not miss the chance to visit this place. Many school and colleges arranges camp here to make the students connect with nature.
The best place for photography
The natural beauty of Dhandh calls birds and animals as well as humans. For photography this is the best place. The images of different birds and wildlife, beautiful landscape formation at sunrise and sunset, vibrant colours of nature, the calm water these all creates captivating moments to click. Impressive wildlife’s activity, the fight of the flock of birds in the sky, wild grass and the breathtaking environment gives the ideal scenery to the photographers. One can carry the lifetime memorable photos of rare species. Here is endless selection for clicking natural scenes.
Worth seeing places with Chhari Dhandh Ramsar site
There are many famous places to visit in Kutch. Pilgrimage places like Mata no Madh (Ma Ashapura temple), Narayan Sarovar, Koteshwar temple and many more. Tourist places like the white Rann, Mandvi beach, Kutch museum, Hamirsar lake, Bhujodi and archaeological place like Dholaveera. The famous Rann Utsav of Kutch starts in winter season so visitors can attend the Rann Utsav and Chhari Dhandh both together.
Nature connected culture in traditional Art of Kutch
The culture of the Kutchi people is inspired by nature. Living in an arid and salty region is a challenging , still Kutchi people take this challenge as opportunity and make a worthy, unique, healthy and varied culture. Kutch is a unique place that preserves nature as well as culture. Artists copy the natural elements in their arts. Many traditional art forms inspired by nature are living in Kutch. Rogan Art is such a traditional art that follows completely natural characteristics. Ashish Kansara is preserving his paternal heritage art in a traditional manner. Many visitors and art lovers visit his home at Madhapar Bhuj to explore the Rogan Art.
The famous Kutchi folk song of love related to Kunj bird (crane):
કુંજલ ના માર વીરા, કુંજલ ના માર
હી રે કુંજલ વેંધી દરિયે જે પાર
Don’t kill the Kunjal , don’t kill the Kunjal
That kunjal will go across the seas
The Kutchi folk song that represents the love of kutchi people for migratory birds. When someone try to hunt the Kunj bird, she requests him not to kill the bird as they are the guests of the land. The vision of bird love, nature love, hospitality of Kutchi people, feeling of love and separation is depicted in this folk song.
Come to see birds, come to click photos, come to feel nature but avoid to pollute, avoid to disturb, avoid to hunt.
