Sacred grove restoration with Rajasthan's desert communities
Kaner Retreat is India’s first desert botanical retreat, rooted in the extraordinary ecology and living culture of the Thar Desert. Founded by Sapna Bhatia, Kaner was conceived as an ode to the landscapes, traditions, and communities that define Rajasthan’s desert heritage. Set beside a sacred desert grove known locally as an Oran, the retreat offers an immersive experience shaped by native botanicals, regional craft traditions, and a deep reverence for the land. Recognised for its commitment to responsible tourism, Kaner works closely with artisan communities and grassroots non-profits, placing cultural preservation and ecological stewardship at the heart of its philosophy.
Project story
I grew up in the Thar Desert, in a deeply conservative environment where a woman’s world was expected to remain small. But the desert also taught me resilience — how life survives against impossible odds. After marriage, I began working in journalism, eventually moving to the UK, where I worked as a journalist and discovered the power of storytelling to shape culture and change perceptions.
Years later, I returned home to Rajasthan with a different vision: to create a space that honoured the wisdom of the desert while supporting its future. That vision became Kaner Retreat, a ten-room boutique retreat built beside an Oran — a sacred grove protected for generations by communities who believed nature was divine, where even cutting a tree was forbidden.
Though Kaner is a for-profit venture, it was built with community at its heart. We work closely with artisan groups and non-profits, and I serve on the boards of two organisations supporting women’s empowerment. I was also on the cover of Condenast Traveller India. Kaner Retreat won gold in the responsible tourism category at the awards given by the state government and Outlook Traveller magazine.
Today, the Oran faces overgrazing, overforaging, and declining wildlife. At Kaner, we transformed barren land into a thriving native ecosystem within two years. My dream now is larger: to regenerate the surrounding Oran with women and local communities leading the effort — restoring not just land, but a living cultural legacy.
Project updates
Team
Sacred grove restoration with Rajasthan's desert communities
Kaner Retreat is India’s first desert botanical retreat, rooted in the extraordinary ecology and living culture of the Thar Desert. Founded by Sapna Bhatia, Kaner was conceived as an ode to the landscapes, traditions, and communities that define Rajasthan’s desert heritage. Set beside a sacred desert grove known locally as an Oran, the retreat offers an immersive experience shaped by native botanicals, regional craft traditions, and a deep reverence for the land. Recognised for its commitment to responsible tourism, Kaner works closely with artisan communities and grassroots non-profits, placing cultural preservation and ecological stewardship at the heart of its philosophy.
Project story
I grew up in the Thar Desert, in a deeply conservative environment where a woman’s world was expected to remain small. But the desert also taught me resilience — how life survives against impossible odds. After marriage, I began working in journalism, eventually moving to the UK, where I worked as a journalist and discovered the power of storytelling to shape culture and change perceptions.
Years later, I returned home to Rajasthan with a different vision: to create a space that honoured the wisdom of the desert while supporting its future. That vision became Kaner Retreat, a ten-room boutique retreat built beside an Oran — a sacred grove protected for generations by communities who believed nature was divine, where even cutting a tree was forbidden.
Though Kaner is a for-profit venture, it was built with community at its heart. We work closely with artisan groups and non-profits, and I serve on the boards of two organisations supporting women’s empowerment. I was also on the cover of Condenast Traveller India. Kaner Retreat won gold in the responsible tourism category at the awards given by the state government and Outlook Traveller magazine.
Today, the Oran faces overgrazing, overforaging, and declining wildlife. At Kaner, we transformed barren land into a thriving native ecosystem within two years. My dream now is larger: to regenerate the surrounding Oran with women and local communities leading the effort — restoring not just land, but a living cultural legacy.
Project updates
Team
Location
Rajasthan, India