From barren wasteland to global tourism icon – the remarkable rebirth of Dhordo

By Megha Paul
 

Land degradation affects nearly 40 per cent of the world's land, with over 3.2 billion people impacted by desertification and soil erosion. As countries grapple with the growing crisis, Dhordo, a once-barren village in India’s Great Rann of Kutch, has emerged as a beacon of sustainable development.

A landscape shaped by adversity and resilience

Dhordo’s challenges were monumental. Erratic rainfall, high soil salinity, and creeping desertification made economic stability an uphill battle. The 2001 Bhuj earthquake further devastated the region, levelling villages and displacing thousands. Yet, rather than resigning to fate, Dhordo’s community found an opportunity where others saw despair. A fusion of cultural pride,traditional wisdom and an unshakeable resolve became the catalyst for transformation. By implementing soil conservation techniques, water management systems and sustainable architecture, Dhordo became a case study in land restoration.

How a festival sparked a revolution

The pivotal moment came with the launch of Rann Utsav, an annual cultural festival that transformed Dhordo into a global travel destination. Once seeing fewer than 7,000 visitors annually, Dhordo now attracts over 500,000 tourists each year, generating millions of rupees in revenue that directly fund ecological conservation projects. These funds have supported reforestation programmes and improved soil conservation, and the revitalisation of native plant species.

Hodka’s women – the guardians of Dhordo’s heritage

The women of Hodka village have played a crucial role in Dhordo’s success. Through sustainable craft industries, homestay initiatives, and traditional textile work, over 60 per cent of households now derive income from tourism-related activities. By managing resources sustainably, these women ensure that economic growth does not come at the expense of the land. Their community-led conservation initiatives, including waste reduction, reforestation and land-use planning, reinforce Dhordo’s commitment to long-term ecological balance.

Kutchi women and girls engaged in their daily practice of traditional Kutchi embroidery work, preserving generations-old techniques native
to the Kutch region of Gujarat in western India. / An artisan demonstrating the intricate Lippan art (traditional mud and mirror work). / 
A master artisan demonstrating the hand-crafting of copper bells, one of Kutch's most renowned and distinctive traditional art forms. /
Local Kutchi musicians playing traditional instruments in a warm welcome ceremony for tourists arriving at Rann Utsav.

Resilience in architecture – Bhungas that withstood time

The village’s architectural adaptation is another sustainability success. Traditional Bhungas, circular mud huts that have withstood earthquakes, storms and extreme temperatures, provide climate-adaptive housing that minimises environmental footprints. Constructed using local, natural materials, these homes have supported soil retention efforts, preventing erosion and preserving the delicate desert ecosystem. Today, these structures are not just dwellings but symbols of resilience, offering tourists an immersive experience in sustainable living.

Tourism as a force for land restoration

Beyond financial prosperity, Dhordo’s tourism-driven restoration model has led to tangible environmental gains. The revival of Virda Wells, traditional rainwater harvesting systems, has increased groundwater recharge, combating desertification and water scarcity. Localised afforestation programmes have helped stabilise sand dunes, preventing soil erosion and increasing biodiversity. Additionally, sustainable land use planning, including controlled grazing and strategic vegetation regrowth, has reversed significant degradation in surrounding areas. The Green Corridors Initiative has played a vital role in restoring native plant species across Dhordo’s landscape, preventing excessive sand encroachment and revitalising soil fertility. These efforts collectively demonstrate how tourism, when aligned with ecological preservation, can actively contribute to reversing environmental decline.

The Smritivan Earthquake Memorial and Museum on Bhujiyo Hill in Bhuj, a solemn tribute to victims
of the 2001 Gujarat earthquake and an educational institution focusing on the region's history.

A model for the world to follow

As climate change accelerates desertification and land degradation, Dhordo’s story is a powerful reminder that sustainable tourism can be a catalyst for ecological recovery. The village’s transformation from a barren expanse to a thriving ecosystem exemplifies how local communities can take charge of land restoration while building resilient economies. It is a call to action for policy-makers, conservationists and global tourism leaders to replicate such models, adapting them to different environmental contexts world-wide. If initiatives like Dhordo's can be scaled across regions facing similar crises, the world can take a meaningful step towards reversing land degradation and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

As nations seek scalable solutions to combat land degradation, Dhordo’s transformation offers a blueprint for other arid and climate-vulnerable regions. The village’s success highlights how policy-driven conservation, community-led restoration and eco-tourism can work together to heal landscapes.

Local artists performing enchanting Kutchi folk songs as tourists immerse themselves in the
authentic cultural experience.

The UN’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030) underscores the urgency of regenerating degraded land world-wide, and Dhordo stands as a living testament to what is possible when innovation meets tradition. By integrating land restoration into tourism-based economic models, Dhordo proves that prosperity and environmental conservation can go hand in hand. From a barren wasteland to a global symbol of sustainable tourism, Dhordo’s journey is far from over. But it has already proven one thing – when a community dares to reclaim its land, its culture and its destiny, the world takes notice.

Megha Paul is a journalist turned communications strategist specialising in sustainability, tourism and regenerative travel. With a background in storytelling and advocacy, she works with UN Tourism, focusing on initiatives that promote rural development, land restoration and sustainable tourism models. Megha has covered diverse topics, from community-led conservation efforts to innovative tourism solutions that drive ecological revival.
Contact: mpaul(at)unwto.org

Photography courtesy of Evoke Experiences, the operational team behind Rann Utsav, who champion equal opportunities for Kutchi communities while documenting their cultural heritage through annual visual storytelling.