South of the White Rann stretch the Banni Grasslands – one of India’s largest arid grassland ecosystems, dotted with acacia trees, wetlands and pastoral hamlets. They host rich birdlife, including migratory waterbirds, and herds of buffalo and livestock tended by Maldhari communities. Hodka village, within Banni, is known for mud-built bhunga stays decorated with mirror work, where visitors can experience folk music around bonfires, traditional food and craft workshops. For Ghoomein, Banni + Hodka is ideal to position as a “village and wildlife experience” that complements Dhordo’s desert views—especially appealing to slow-travel and culture-focused tourists.
About this place
History & highlights
Banni evolved as a seasonal grazing commons on the southern edge of the Rann, shaped by monsoon floods and winter dryness. It was notified as Banni Grasslands Reserve and later recognised for its biodiversity and pastoral culture. Hodka’s residents, mainly from Meghwal and other communities, gradually shifted from purely pastoral livelihoods to community-based tourism with bhunga resorts and craft sales, supported by NGOs and government initiatives. Today, Banni is central to debates on conservation, invasive species and pastoral rights, while remaining a core cultural landscape in Kutch.
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