Jawai Leopard Sanctuary
Jawai is also known for its sanctuary for leopards, birds, and crocodiles. It is also called the winter paradise for migratory birds with more than 100 species frequenting every year. Along with a great variety of birds, Jawai is home to Leopards, hyenas, Chinkaras, nilgai, bears, and wolves as well. Conservation efforts to save Wildlife Jawai Bandh forests in the Pali district of Rajasthan have been accorded with the status of a conservation reserve in 2013. At the present time, there were few mines allotted near the protected area and another 120 mines in the pipeline. The Locals and the few Conservationistsand intellectuals swung into action and realized if the mines were allotted it would be the end of Leopards in the area.
After two years of hard work, creating awareness, and pitching for the Leopards with running from pillar to post trying to convince the government to stop mining in the area, finally, mining was stopped in 2015. Now to ensure that no mines are allotted in the future, efforts are being made through representations to the state and central government, with locals, villagers, and conservationists to finally make the area into community reserve as per the wildlife protection act 1972. Recently, Panchayats of three villages (Villar, Chamunderi, and Lundara) in Pali has come together and unanimously agreed to form a community reserve to protect the leopards. The proposal has been sent to the state government and awaits their declaration; this can be seen as a commendable initiative as the leopard population in different parts of the country is witnessing a steady decline. It is only in Bera (Rajasthan) that has been a remarkable increase in the number of leopards. All in all, it can be said that joint efforts of everyone can create a legacy to preserve this beautiful creature for the next generation