From the archive record
An aerial journey of the salt marshes of Rann of Kutch. Kutch’s white desert is on a wide stretch moving towards the northwestern horizon with vast touching sea bank – the Arabian Sea. Situated about 130 km from Ahmedabad, the Rann of Kutch is a seasonal salt marsh. It is also the land of the Agariyas, traditionally salt farmers, who have lived here for centuries. Working every day under a scorching sun from October to June, the Agariyas harvest 75 per cent of India’s total salt production. Centuries ago, the Rann of Kutch was part of the sea until an earthquake turned the exposed sea bed into a sprawling desert. Today, it is a vast expanse of arid land, devoid of habitation, stretching out to the Arabian Sea, which is just 10 km away. During the monsoon months, the Rann of Kutch is submer