When: 01 December, 2017
What: Leopard Safari
Where: Jhalana, Jaipur
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Jaipur’s Jhalana forests now home to 30 leopards, 150 other species
Flying under the radar, a handful of forest and wildlife officials had over the past decade managed to cobble together bits of reserve forest into a 75 sq. km habitat practically in the centre of Jaipur. It’s now home to as many as 30 leopards – as well as 150 other species. This May, Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje launched the state’s first leopard safari at Jhalana forests, modeled on the jeep tours used for tiger tourism in Ranthambore.
Near Rajasthan University in eastern Jaipur, Jhalana offers topographical diversity with hills, valleys, plateaus and sand dunes. Part of it was developed into a park in 1981. Eventually when the leopards started straying into the city, a project was ordered to be set up to improve the prey base inside the forest in 2014. As a result, the leopard population increased from just eight cats in 2012-13 to 21 in 2016-17. The numbers of jackals, hyenas, foxes, badgers and blue bull have also seen dramatic increases. Access is limited to licensed jeeps, which charge per head. A drive uphill leads to an 1835 hunting lodge built by the erstwhile Jaipur royals. It offers a magnificent view of the city skyline where it merges with the forest.
The forest department has now announced that tourists will be able enjoy full day and half day safari in the Jhalana forest. Jhalana had two safari tracks however a third track has recently been thrown open for tourists & visitors. This 7-km track will start from the main gate and pass through the shooting range. A major stretch of this track passes through two hills, which provides a breathtaking sight.
In a state known for palaces, forts, tigers and deserts, leopards have made a welcome entry into the tourism calendar.
