More than 80% of tourists visiting Gujarat’s Chhari-Dhand wetland in Kutch district are foreigners, as per tour operators and ornithologists. The wetland, spanning 22,700 hectares and 12 villages, is a key hub for migratory birds in western India. Visitors from over 52 countries, including the US, UK, Australia, Finland, and the Netherlands, frequent the site.
The wetland hosts over 187 bird species, with 11 globally threatened and nine near-threatened species. Notably, it attracts a large gathering of Common Cranes and serves as a vital wintering spot for the Grey Hypocolius. Chhari-Dhand was declared Gujarat’s first Conservation Reserve in 2008, under the Wildlife Protection Act, during Narendra Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister.
Recognized as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, Chhari-Dhand is Gujarat’s fifth Ramsar site and the first in Kutch. The recent designation further bolsters conservation efforts at the wetland, drawing researchers and nature enthusiasts globally.
Forest officials emphasize the ecological significance of Chhari-Dhand, which continues to be a hotspot for birdwatchers and tourists alike.
