A pastoral community in the grasslands of Banni in Gujarat, has built a resort to bring modern societies into their lives so that the community may sensitise them on the qualities of ‘living lightly on the land’.
The resort, built, run and managed by the pastorals is used as advocacy to espouse their values which insists that commons make better economics than privatisation; their knowledge systems in sustainable living, where it is difficult to separate profession from custom and art.
Hunnarshala Foundation in association Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan, UNDP and the state government, worked with the Hodko village community to build Shaam-e-Sarhad (Sunset at the Border) Village Resort. The origins of Hunnarshala lies in the collaborations and associations that were built after 2001 earthquake in Kutch with an objective to capacitate people for reconstruction of their habitat.
The design and construction was undertaken in partnership with the artisans of the village and it showcases their traditional arts and crafts. The Hodko experience is significant because the community was at the focal point. They were stakeholders in the project from the very beginning and they own, manage and run the resort. This has yielded economic, social as well as political benefits for the community.
The initial concept, in the testing phase was to establish a place for people to stay, and serve them the local cuisine to recreate an authentic experience of an evening in a local village. While tents were agreed upon, there was the issue of how they should be furnished. The concept of using earth and mud was discussed by Hunnarshala with the Panchayat members.
There were a number of artisans in the villages who were comfortable building in mud. So the first step was making mud beds for the tents. While the locals were comfortable with the idea of beds in mud, the concept of mud toilets was alien to them, since they did not have toilets at all. As a compromise, the toilets were designed tastefully, and were almost as luxurious as in any high-end resort, but built in mud.
As Shaam-e-Sarhad opened for tourists and became more popular, the general feedback was to make available more permanent structures for accommodation. While considering the demand, the villagers were very clear that these permanent structures should blend in with the landscape. Thus emerged the idea of building Bhungas which are the unique local dwellings made of mud.
Handcrafted village resort
The village resort that has been hand-crafted by the local community to replicate the vernacular traditions of architecture and design. All living spaces are designed to showcase local talent and are decorated handicrafted. The stay is designed to be comfortable.
The local community staff manage the resort to the last detail. Guests can indulge in the rare pleasure of staying in Bhungas, Mud Tents, and Family Cottages crafted with indigenous resources. Accommodation at Shaam-e-Sarhad is comfortable, simple and clean. The rooms are set up in local style and decorated with crafts of the area, creating an authentic atmosphere. There are different types of 12 accommodations at the resort: Eco-friendly Mud Tents, Family cottages, Suite Bhungas and Standard Bhungas. All of them have attached bathrooms with a western-style toilet and shower with running water.
The Bhungas are circular mud huts with sloping roofs, typical of the Banni region. They are made of grass thatch is an indigenous invention that tackles the extreme climate. The Bhungas keep cool during the hot Kutchi summers and warm in the cold desert winters Each Bhunga has a private open space with arm chairs, an ideal place to relax and look out into nothingness. Tents are designed with mud adobe bricks, have mud beds (kind size double bed), mud sofas and private bathroom with western-style toilet. Local handicrafts upholsteries give a colourful welcome.
The Tents and Bhungas can normally accommodate 2 people, and the Family cottage 4 people. Extra beds are available on request. There are total of 6 Tents, 2 Family Cottage, 3 Suite Traditional Bhungas and 1 Standard Bhunga at the resort. All the accommodations are non air-conditioned. There are no television sets at the resort.
About the Banni Grassland
Banni, the largest and finest stretch of grassland in India (2617 sq km) and the second largest in Asia, is located on the northern border of Bhuj taluka of Kachchh district at the westernmost end of Gujarat State. The word ‘Banni’ is derived from ‘Bannai’ from the Kachchhi language, which translates to ‘Banni hui’ or ‘made up’, signifying the land has been formed by waste or debris. The local Sindhi community called the Banni grasslands Peera jo paat or the ‘land of the saints’
For more than four centuries, this land has been home to more than 20 ethnic semi-nomadic communities. These include the Maldharis who practise pastoralism – breeding cattle, buffaloes, goats, sheep and camels, the Jats who engage in fishing, and several others who have been traditional agriculturists.
