Rajkot: Recognising the ecological vulnerability of the salt desert, the Kutch district administration has introduced a series of stringent restrictions across major tourist destinations, including Dhordo and the iconic Road to Heaven, ahead of the annual Rann Utsav.The administration has announced four key prohibitions covering spitting, plastic waste, unregistered animal rides and private vehicular access to sensitive areas.Kutch is gearing up for the annual Rann Utsav, which draws nearly 10 lakh tourists to Dhordo and Dholavira between November and February.The administration has designated the White Rann, the Dhordo festival area and the Road to Heaven as no-spitting zones. Consumption and public spitting of tobacco, gutka and pan masala have been prohibited in these areas.The restrictions cover the stretch from Sabras Bus Stand to the Watch Tower within the Dhordo Rann Utsav perimeter, extending two km on either side of the road, as well as the surrounding desert. The Road to Heaven stretch from Kadhvand in Bhuj taluka to the Dholavira entry point is also covered.To prevent environmental degradation caused by littering, the entire belt has additionally been declared a plastic-free zone. Dumping single-use plastics, plastic bottles and carry bags in the open desert and the waterlogged flats along the Road to Heaven has been prohibited. The move aims to curb tourist litter that threatens local habitats and damages the region’s scenic landscape.The administration has also restricted private vehicular access to sensitive areas after taking note of incidents in which tourists inadvertently drove onto desert flats, got their vehicles stuck and required rescue operations. Such incidents not only necessitate emergency intervention but also damage the fragile salt crust and the desert’s natural beauty.Accordingly, the route from Sabras Bus Stand to the Watch Tower and the adjoining White Rann have been declared restricted zones for private vehicles.In another measure aimed at ensuring tourist safety and regulating animal rides, unregistered horse and camel rides across the Dhordo Rann Utsav grounds have been prohibited. Operators will have to obtain formal registration from the designated committee before offering rides to visitors.
