The Rajasthan High Court has instituted a comprehensive regulatory regime across the Jawai leopard habitat in Pali district, imposing a one-kilometre construction-control zone around vital wildlife corridors, caves, and breeding sites while enforcing strict curbs on commercial growth and safari operations.
Pronouncing the order on a public interest litigation filed by Apoorva Agrawat, a division bench comprising Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Rekha Borana directed authorities to strictly implement the state government’s March 31, 2015 notification. That order prohibits new commercial ventures, including hotels, resorts, mining, and agricultural land conversion, within one kilometre of the notified Jawai Leopard Conservation Reserves. The bench observed that this one-kilometre distance functions as an interim, evidence-based regulatory threshold rather than a permanent ecological boundary.
The ruling integrates and finalises interim orders previously passed on March 23, April 20, and April 28, charging the District Collector and the Deputy Conservator of Forests of Pali with inter-departmental enforcement.
Curbs On Construction And Habitat Disruption
Under the court’s directives, development restrictions apply uniformly across private, revenue, community, and forest lands. Authorities are barred from permitting new construction, commercial structures, road or track creation, boundary walls, excavation, blasting, and hill cutting across designated habitat features. Any activity that materially impedes or disturbs leopard movement is prohibited.
The bench provided exemptions for local communities, permitting bona fide residential construction within existing village abadi zones and the repair or rebuilding of lawful residences without significant expansion. Basic public amenities—such as schools, dispensaries, Anganwadi centres, and drinking-water infrastructure—are exempt, while traditional farming, grazing, and customary livelihood practices remain protected under wildlife-friendly conditions.
Ongoing bans on mining remain in effect, and the construction of new solid walls or barbed-wire fencing that divides habitats has been prohibited. The court noted that existing fences obstructing established wildlife corridors may be altered or dismantled following formal notice to property owners.
Stringent Regulations For Wildlife Safaris And Resorts
The court significantly tightened oversight of wildlife tourism, ruling that the current Standard Operating Procedure will govern activities across forest, revenue, community, and private holdings.
All safari vehicles and operators must register with authorities and operate with functional GPS tracking systems. The judgment prohibits night safaris, baiting practices, artificial lighting, drone deployment, vehicle clustering near leopard dens, and unauthorised access to restricted areas.
Hospitality properties and commercial tour establishments are barred from advertising or selling accommodation on the promise of guaranteed leopard sightings from private suites or resort grounds.
Scientific Mapping And Policy Formulation
The state government has been ordered to carry out comprehensive geo-referenced mapping alongside ecological and carrying-capacity studies before finalising a long-term policy for the landscape. This forthcoming policy must formally demarcate zones requiring absolute conservation from those where regulated human activity can occur.
The mapping exercise must document leopard dens, caves, resting and breeding locations, transit corridors, wetlands, water sources, human habitations, roadways, and commercial tourism concentrations. To ensure transparency, authorities must make the finished survey public and display copies across local gram panchayats.
