JAIPUR: In an incessant struggle for survival, the cave-dwelling leopards in the Jawai hills of Rajasthan now face fresh threats due to recent mining activities in their vicinity. Mining permits have been alarmingly issued in close proximity to their natural habitat, and operations have already commenced.
Consequently, this otherwise elusive animal is now compelled to pass near men and heavy machinery like JCBs, raising concerns about an increased incidence of human-animal conflicts in the area. At the mining site, earth-moving machines can be observed uprooting trees and leveling the ground in the vicinity of the leopard hills.
A section of the local residents has approached the district administration, demanding the cancellation of the mining permits. This move deals a severe blow to conservation efforts and wildlife tourism, which stakeholders have been nurturing for years. Villagers also fear that once the mines become operational, the leopards will abandon the area, posing a threat to their livelihoods.
Gaffar Khan, a local tour operator, expressed his anguish, “We have been conserving leopards, hills, and nature as it is our source of income. One misguided decision by the government could not only jeopardise the ecosystem of the area but also result in unemployment for many.”
The Beda area boasts of 20-25 hotels and 100 gypsies that rely entirely on leopard tourism. There is a natural leopard cave in the area, and due to the opening of the mines, leopards are now in grave danger. The safari and hotel businesses are also likely to be adversely affected, potentially leading to their closure. This situation could result in unemployment for local residents and those dependent on wildlife tourism.
A villager, who preferred not to be named, said, “These permits have been issued against established procedures. Government records still classify the concerned area as agricultural land yet mining permits have been issued for it. A memorandum has been submitted to the district administration to address this issue.”
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