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Eco-Tourism Regulated in Jawai's Sensitive Leopard Habitats
17 May
Summary
- New SOP aims to balance conservation with local livelihoods.
- GPS monitoring will track safari vehicles and enforce rules.
- Strict penalties include fines and potential blacklisting of vehicles.
The Rajasthan forest department has established a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to govern safari and eco-tourism in the Jawai leopard landscape. This initiative responds to mounting concerns regarding unregulated tourism, wildlife disturbance, and habitat degradation.
The high court-directed SOP aims to harmonize wildlife conservation efforts with the economic needs of local communities reliant on tourism. Key regulations include requiring all safari vehicles to be registered with the Jawai Safari & Eco Tourism Coordination Committee (JSECC) and mandating GPS monitoring for enhanced surveillance.
Serious violations such as night safaris, wildlife baiting, and drone usage near leopard habitats are strictly prohibited. Penalties for violations range from activity termination to fines of Rs 25,000, with the possibility of invoking provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act. A coordination committee, chaired by the Pali district collector, will oversee the implementation.
The SOP also includes mapping sensitive leopard habitats and implementing special protection measures. Safari vehicles must maintain a minimum distance of 30 meters from leopard caves, with restrictions on blocking animal movement or forcing close encounters. These regulations will apply across designated reserves and surrounding villages.
