UNWTO recognises Gujarat's Dhordo as 'Best Tourism Village'

On January 26, 2001, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, struck Kutch, the largest district of Gujarat. More than 13,000 people died and several others were injured.

Until then, perhaps what people knew about the district was that its headquarters (capital) is Bhuj, the district has a desert and that the district shares its borders with Pakistan.

What followed the rescue operations were efforts of rehabilitation and restoration that lasted a couple of years. The Kutchi people, as the people of Kutch are called, have an indomitable spirit. But, that alone was not enough to rebuild the district. It required efforts from various local, national and international agencies, including the NGOs.

The second half of 2001 also brought Narendra Modi into electoral politics. Though no official reason was given, the then chief minister of the state, Keshubhai Patel, was replaced for the alleged inept handling of the post-earthquake situation. Modi, who had held organisational positions in the BJP, went on to become the chief minister and then contested assembly polls.

The landscape of Kutch changed with earthquake-resistant houses and industries. The local art forms got national and international recognition. This was just the beginning. The news of beautiful places the district had to offer spread far and wide. It was backed with government efforts to develop tourism in the district.

As time passed, Dhordo, one of the last villages adjoining the desert, became the most sought-after tourist destination. And now, Dhordo has been recognised as one of the 54 Best Tourism Villages by United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

What began with a few hundred or thousand people visiting the place every winter to witness the majestic Rann that turns white after the rain waters recede, now attracts lakhs of visitors every year. Earlier this year, Dhordo also hosted G20’s Tourism Meet.

Miya Hussain Mutva, sarpanch of Dhordo, cannot hide his excitement. “We feel very proud. It is the last village before the desert starts. Efforts of Modiji have paid off,” he says over the phone from Dhordo.

“A small village having a population of 550 has got an international recognition,” he says. Come November and the district will turn into tent city.

Tent city has various types of tents in which tourists can have a comfortable stay. Large and clean dining areas proudly host guests with a variety of food. Tent city remains till February end or the beginning of March.

Spread on a sprawling piece of land, the tent city provides luxurious facilities to national and international visitors. Tour packages are planned and the tourists also get to see the cultural shows and try their hand at a bit of adventure.

If the tent city is the most sought-after place to stay, there are traditional bhungas in more than 40 villages in the Banni grassland area where the tourists can opt to stay, if they cannot afford tent city.

The villagers of Dhordo engage in cattle rearing and at least one from each family is employed in a pesticide company nearby. Women do embroidery. There is hustle and bustle when the winter sets in as there is brisk business. Stalls are put up in the tent city and a makeshift market also comes up outside it.

“There was a time when villagers used to migrate for good and now lakhs of tourists come to our village,” 56-year-old Mutva remarks.