Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve

2026-10-17T08:10:27Z

Sachin nagar:

{{Short description|Protected area in Rajasthan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2025}}{{Infobox protected area
| name = Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve
| iucn_category =
| image = Jawai Leopard Hills Safari-02.jpg
| image_caption = 2 Leopards in Jawai Bandh area
| map = Rajasthan#India
| relief = 1
| mapframe = Yes
| map_caption = Location in Rajasthan, India
| coordinates = {{Coord|25|05|26|N|73|08|58|E}}
| location = Sumerpur tehsil, Pali district, Rajasthan, India
| area_km2 = 19.79
| established = 23 February 2010
| governing_body = Rajasthan Forest Department
| nearest_town = Bera
}}

'''Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve''' is a protected conservation reserve located in the [[Sumerpur tehsil]] of [[Pali district]] in the Indian state of [[Rajasthan]].<ref name="RFD">{{cite web |url=https://forest.rajasthan.gov.in/content/raj/forest/en/aboutus/departmental-wings/wild-life1/public-information/details-of-protected-area-/jawai-bandh-leopard-conservation-reserve-ii.html |title=Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve-II |publisher=Rajasthan Forest Department |accessdate=7 May 2025}}</ref> Covering an area of {{cvt|19.79|sqkm}}, it was formally notified on 23 February 2010 to safeguard the region’s unique cave-dwelling leopard population.<ref name="TOI2010">{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/at-leopard-conservation-site-roar-of-tourism-is-muted-by-mining-neglect/articleshow/104932856.cms |title=At leopard conservation site, roar of tourism is muted by mining, neglect |work=The Times of India |date=3 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Rajasthan: Leopard reserves that are every wildlife enthusiast’s dream destinations |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/rajasthan-leopard-reserves-that-are-every-wildlife-enthusiasts-dream-destinations/articleshow/111090316.cms |access-date=2025-05-08 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kunzru |first=Hari |date=2015-05-08 |title=Life Among the Leopards |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/08/t-magazine/life-among-the-leopards-jawai-india.html |access-date=2025-05-08 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:JAWAI_BANDH_LAKE.jpg|right|452x452px]]
It takes its name from the nearby [[Jawai Dam]], an earthen-and-masonry structure on the [[Jawai River]] (a tributary of the [[Luni River]]), constructed in 1956–57 by the Rajasthan Water Resources Department. The reserve’s terrain consists of granite outcrops, caves, scrubland and river valleys, providing natural retreats for leopards and other fauna.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thournatureresorts.com/blog/jawai-bandh-leopard-conservation-reserve/ |title=Jawai Leopard Conservation Reserve – A Complete Guide |publisher=Thour Nature Resorts |date=April 2025 |accessdate=7 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-19 |title=Leopard that strayed from Pakistan to be moved to Jawai |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jodhpur/leopard-that-strayed-from-pakistan-to-be-moved-to-jawai/articleshow/110245235.cms |access-date=2025-05-08 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

==Flora and fauna==
Vegetation is dominated by dry deciduous and thorn forests, with species such as ''[[Ziziphus mauritiana]]'' (ber), ''[[Vachellia nilotica]]'' (kikar) and native grasses.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thournatureresorts.com/blog/history-of-jawai-bandh/ |title=History of Jawai Bandh, Rajasthan |publisher=Thour Nature Resorts |date=May 2025 |accessdate=7 May 2025}}</ref>
The reserve hosts one of India’s highest leopard densities, estimated at 50–60 individuals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://jawaileopardsafari.org/about-jawai/ |title=About Jawai: Where Leopards Roam |publisher=Jawai Leopard Safaris |accessdate=7 May 2025}}</ref> Other mammals include [[striped hyena]] (''Hyaena hyaena''), [[jungle cat]] (''Felis chaus''), [[nilgai]] (''Boselaphus tragocamelus'') and [[mugger crocodile]] (''Crocodylus palustris'').
The artificial reservoir and adjacent wetlands attract migratory birds such as [[bar-headed goose]] (''Anser indicus'') and [[demoiselle crane]] (''Grus virgo'') during winter months.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rajras.in/jawai-bandh-conservation-reserve/ |title=Jawai Bandh Conservation Reserve |publisher=RajRAS |accessdate=7 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://rajras.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Rivers-Lakes-and-Dams-of-Rajasthan.pdf |title=Rivers, Lakes & Dams of Rajasthan |publisher=RajRAS |page=64 |accessdate=7 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-28 |title=Exploring Rajasthan: the heritage, tribes and wildlife of the desert |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3260159/explore-rajasthan-luxury-tribes-and-vibes-indias-desert-oasis-stay-sujan-jawai-sujan-serai-and-mihir |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Jawai_Bandh4.jpg|alt=Jawai_Bandh4|thumb|450x450px]]
[[File:Predators_of_Jawai.jpg|alt=Predators_of_Jawai|thumb|454x454px]]

==Cultural significance==
Surrounding villages are home to the indigenous [[Rabari]] community,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-05-29 |title=Communities near Jawai reserve give up herding due to leopard attack on cattle |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/communities-near-jawai-reserve-give-up-herding-due-to-leopard-attack-on-cattle/articleshow/91861975.cms |access-date=2025-05-08 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> who have coexisted with leopards for generations. Their traditional reverence for these big cats has helped minimise human–wildlife conflict in the region.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://jawaileopardsafari.org/jawai-projects/ |title=Jawai Leopard Conservation & Tourism Projects |publisher=Jawai Leopard Safaris |accessdate=7 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2025-03-20 |title=Leopard kills man near Jawai Dam in Rajasthan |url=https://theprint.in/india/leopard-kills-man-near-jawai-dam-in-rajasthan/2557952/ |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-05 |title=Where humans don't fear leopards |url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220504-jawai-where-humans-dont-fear-leopards |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jameson |first=Julietta |date=2024-02-16 |title=Elusive big cats and humans live side by side in this alien-like landscape |url=https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/inspiration/elusive-big-cats-and-humans-live-side-by-side-in-this-alien-like-landscape-20231219-p5esja.html |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-24 |title=I Visited ‘Leopard Country’ Where Humans and Big Cats Live in Harmony |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/leopard-country-india-where-animals-and-human-tribe-live-together-travel/ |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=VICE |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:Jawai_Leopard_Hills_Safari-03.jpg|thumb|455x455px]]
[[File:FLEMINGO_JAWAI_BERA.jpg|thumb|434x434px]]

== Tourism ==
Jawai has become a popular destination for wildlife tourism and photography. Morning and evening jeep safaris offer opportunities to observe leopards in their natural habitat. Eco-friendly lodges and luxury camps operate around Bera village, combining local culture with hospitality.

Private leopard safaris are arranged by independent local operators in the region. These tours are typically conducted in open jeeps and focus on leopard observation within the natural landscape. Visitors looking for information about safari experiences, local villages, and tourism services can explore [https://jawaisafari.org/ Jawai Safari]. The website also provides information about the Jawai region and its leopard safari experiences.

Travelers planning a visit can refer to [https://jawaisafari.org/about-us/ Jawai Safari's About Us page] to learn more about the local safari operator and its services. Additional information about the destination and safari experiences is available at [https://jawaisafari.org/ JawaiSafari.org].

== External links ==
* [https://jawaisafari.org/ Jawai Safari – Information about Jawai leopard safaris]
* [https://jawaisafari.org/bera-leopard-safari/ Bera Leopard Safari]
* [https://jawaisafari.org/about-us/ About Jawai Safari]

==Conservation challenges==
Key threats include illegal mining,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-03 |title=At leopard conservation site, roar of tourism is muted by mining, neglect |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/at-leopard-conservation-site-roar-of-tourism-is-muted-by-mining-neglect/articleshow/104932856.cms |access-date=2025-05-08 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> habitat encroachment, and wildlife casualties from the Delhi–Mumbai railway line that bisects the reserve. Ongoing monitoring and mitigation are overseen by the Rajasthan Forest Department.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/rajasthan-encroachers-block-caves-of-jawai-bandh-leopards-may-force-them-to-leave-reserve/articleshow/77534732.cms |title=Encroachers block caves of Jawai Bandh leopards |work=The Times of India |date=14 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-03-21 |title=Leopard mauls man to death in Jawai reserve |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/leopard-mauls-man-to-death-in-jawai-reserve/articleshow/119269856.cms |access-date=2025-05-08 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

==Accessibility==
* By road: State highways connect to Jodhpur and Udaipur.
* By rail: Mori Bera Railway Station is the nearest broad-gauge stop.<ref name="RFD"/>
* By air: Udaipur Airport lies approximately 140 km away.<ref name="RFD"/>

==See also==
* [[Conservation reserves and community reserves of India]]
* [[Ranthambore National Park]]
* [[Sariska Tiger Reserve]]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Pali district]]

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Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve