Rajasthan High Court Halts Construction, Mining in Jawai Leopard Habitat

The Rajasthan High Court has halted construction, mining, and expansion of tourism activities in the ecologically sensitive Jawai region to protect leopard habitats.

The Court directed maintenance of status quo in leopard corridors, hills, caves, and foothill areas, while prohibiting fresh tourism licences and continuing restrictions on safari operations.

A Division Bench of Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Sandeep Shah also asked the State Government to consider declaring the region a wildlife sanctuary under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.

The Court observed that preservation of wildlife and ecological balance forms part of constitutional obligations under Article 21.

[Apoorva Agrawat v. State of Rajasthan]