Jaipur: A Rajasthan High Court order banning new constructions and issuance of fresh tourism licences in the Jawai area of Pali district has triggered opposition from villagers, stakeholders and tourism operators, who say the move could severely hit the region’s economy and livelihood.The court’s directive mandates that no construction can proceed in the Jawai region without prior court approval, although exceptions are made for development in designated abadi (inhabitation) areas, provided they have the necessary approvals. Residents and those involved in tourism argue the ruling poses an existential threat in an area already struggling with small landholdings and low agricultural productivity.Mahipal Singh Ranawat, a villager and stakeholder in local tourism, expressed his sentiments, stating, “Banning construction of modest hospitality units across 16 villages in the Jawai landscape, undertaken on privately held revenue land, risks precipitating a tangible economic setback. Such a sweeping restriction would not merely stall developmental momentum but could induce a prolonged phase of stagnation.”Jawai is globally recognised for its unique equilibrium between humans and leopards, with the latter being at the heart of a flourishing community economy over the past 15 years. Ranawat warned, “To abruptly designate these lived-in landscapes as restrictive zones may engender deep resentment … residents might feel compelled to push leopards away from their own lands.”Legal experts are questioning the feasibility of the court requiring approval for construction on private property. Advocate Jaideo Singh highlighted the impracticality, saying, “It will be logistically impractical for a common man, especially uneducated villagers, to every time approach the high court for permissions related to construction on their own private land.”Tourism industry estimates suggest that nearly 25 upcoming hotels could now find their projects halted, which may adversely impact job creation in both skilled and unskilled sectors. The current restrictions have alarmed operators, who argue that an already existing 1-km construction buffer should suffice and that extending the ban beyond is excessive. Hemant Bohara, a local entrepreneur, lamented, “Now, with the high court order, it feels as though my life savings have been swept away.”On the other hand, safari operator Gaffar Khan defended the existing sustainable tourism model, remarking, “Jawai offers some of the most affordable wildlife safaris. The intent has never been to disturb the leopard; rather, the community has become its foremost custodian.”Some stakeholders believe that the public interest litigation, or PIL, appears to be a tactical move by outside interests to impede locals from establishing ventures on their own land. They contend that those who have already built and operationalised their properties are striving to maintain a monopoly over local tourism opportunities.As the community grapples with the implications of the court’s order, the future of Jawai’s vibrant tourism industry and the livelihood it supports hangs in the balance.
