Rajasthan High Court has taken strict measures for leopard conservation in Jawai, completely banning new construction, mining, and night safaris near leopard caves.
The division bench of Justice Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Rekha Borana has issued detailed guidelines for environmental and wildlife protection across the entire Jawai landscape.
The court has implemented several significant restrictions and regulations, giving top priority to wildlife conservation.
The High Court has ordered that an aerial radius of 1 kilometer around panther dens, caves, breeding sites, and movement corridors will be considered a 'Construction-Control Zone'.
Within this perimeter, there will be a complete ban on the construction of any new commercial establishments, such as hotels or resorts.
The court has clarified that whether the land is governmental, revenue, or private, permission will not be granted for cutting mountains, blasting, or altering paths in the natural habitats of leopards. Additionally, the ban on mining in the Jawai area will continue.
To ensure the unhindered movement of wildlife, a ban has been imposed on the construction of new barbed wire fences and solid walls.
The court has also directed the removal or modification of old fences obstructing corridors to make them wildlife-friendly.
The court has also banned tourism-related activities that pose a threat to wildlife.
The Jawai Safari and Eco-Tourism SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) has been strictly implemented throughout the region.
Now, all safari vehicles will be duly registered, and installing GPS tracking has been made mandatory.
Hotels and resorts will no longer be able to run misleading advertisements and promotions guaranteeing panther sightings from their rooms or balconies. This has been completely banned.
Protecting the interests of local villagers, the court has clarified that there will be no restrictions on private housing, repairs, schools, hospitals, drinking water projects, and traditional animal grazing and farming in populated areas.
The Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Pali and the Revenue Department have been directed to conduct geo-referenced mapping of all caves, water bodies, and movement routes and make it public within 8 weeks.
The court commented that wildlife conservation cannot be limited to government-defined boundaries on paper. Since leopards also roam on revenue and private lands, the protection of their natural habitats and corridors is the highest priority.
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