A pastoral community in the grasslands of Banni, considered ‘backward’ built a resort to bring modern societies into their lives so that the community may sensitize 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 privatization; their knowledge systems in sustainable living, where it is difficult to separate profession from custom and art.
Hunnarshala Foundation in association with Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan, UNDP and State government, worked with the Hodko village community to build Shaam-e-Sarhad (Sunset at the Border) Village Resort.
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.
