Jaipur, Sep 29 (IANS) The Rajasthan High Court has expressed serious concern over the threat to the UNESCO World Heritage status of Jaipur’s Walled City (Char Diwari). 

Taking suo motu cognisance of the issue, Justice Pramil Kumar Mathur directed that the matter be placed before the Chief Justice for registration as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).

The Court noted that four World Heritage Sites across the world have already lost their UNESCO status and warned that Jaipur could become the fifth if timely corrective measures are not taken.

It observed that the UNESCO World Heritage Committee had previously raised concerns over the demolition of historic buildings within Jaipur’s Walled City and the inadequate implementation of heritage conservation regulations.

According to the Court, UNESCO had raised concerns as early as 2023. It observed that effective measures had not been taken and said that corrective action would be necessary before December 2026 to prevent any threat to Jaipur’s World Heritage status.

In its order, the Court said illegal construction, unauthorised alterations and widespread encroachments in the core and buffer zones of the Walled City posed a serious threat to its heritage character.

The Court noted that several buildings had allegedly been altered or demolished in violation of the Heritage Conservation and Protection Regulations, 2020, which were framed to safeguard historic structures.

The Court also questioned the functioning of officials of the Jaipur Municipal Corporation and Jaipur Development Authority (JDA), observing that the agencies had failed to effectively implement applicable laws and policies. It further expressed concern over the lack of coordination among government departments, describing the situation as reflecting systemic apathy and negligence.

The Court observed that traditional havelis and other heritage structures were gradually disappearing and being replaced by modern buildings that did not harmonise with the historical character of the Walled City. The order also highlighted other issues affecting the heritage character of the area, including tangled networks of overhead wires visible at several locations within the Walled City.

The High Court has directed the Jaipur Development Authority and the Municipal Corporation to conduct a survey of illegal constructions and encroachments in the Walled City and submit a report within two weeks.

The Court has also sought affidavits addressing 11 specific points within four weeks from senior officials, including the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development and Housing Department, Director of the Local Self-Government Department, Director of the Archaeology Department, Additional Chief Secretary of the Tourism Department and Secretary of the Devasthan Department.