White Desert and Road to Heaven declared plastic-free in Kutch

The Kutch district administration has imposed strict restrictions at major tourist destinations, including Dhordo, the White Desert, and the Road to Heaven, to protect the delicate ecosystem of the desert ahead of the annual Rann Utsav. According to a report by DeshGujarat, four main measures have been taken under this decision, which include bans on spitting, littering plastic waste, unauthorised animal rides, and the entry of private vehicles into sensitive areas.

The White Desert, the Dhordo Utsav grounds, and the Road to Heaven have now been declared no-spitting zones, where the consumption of tobacco, gutkha, and pan masala, as well as spitting, is prohibited. These rules will apply to an area up to 2 km on both sides from Sabras bus stand to the watch tower, and in the Road to Heaven area from Kadvand in Bhuj taluka to the Dholavira entry point.

The entire stretch has been declared plastic-free, with a ban on throwing single-use plastic, bottles, and carry bags in the waterlogged plains of the desert and Road to Heaven. Private vehicles have been banned between the Sabras bus stand and the watch tower and the surrounding White Desert, as rescue operations had to be conducted due to tourists getting stuck in the delicate desert plains, which was also causing damage to the salt crust.

There is also a ban on unauthorised horse and camel rides at the Dhordo Rann Utsav grounds. Operators will be required to obtain formal registration from the appointed committee before providing rides to tourists. Approximately 10 lakh tourists visit Dhordo and Dholavira between November and February.

The Kutch desert is known as a vast expanse of salt marsh located in the north-western part of the Indian subcontinent, spreading across the border between India and Pakistan. A large part of this region is located in the Kutch district of Gujarat state, while a small part extends into the Sindh province of Pakistan. Geographically, it is divided into the Great Rann and the Little Rann.