Stories
Jaipur's UNESCO Status Threatened by Illegal Construction, HC Demands Urgent Action
- •The Rajasthan High Court warns that illegal construction and encroachments in Jaipur's Walled City endanger its UNESCO World Heritage status.
- •Justice Pramil Kumar Mathur issued the order after noting a newspaper report and UNESCO's concerns regarding the site's preservation.
- •Jaipur's Walled City received UNESCO World Heritage status in 2019 for its historic urban planning and cultural significance.
- •The High Court highlighted UNESCO's concerns from 2023 and 2025 about demolished heritage structures and lax enforcement of protection rules.
- •Authorities are directed to survey unauthorized construction, explain heritage protection frameworks, and submit immediate and long-term action plans.
Key Questions Answered
The Rajasthan High Court warned that continued illegal construction, encroachments, and unauthorised changes in Jaipur's historic Walled City could jeopardize its UNESCO World Heritage status. Justice Pramil Kumar Mathur stressed that heritage, once lost, cannot be recreated and called for stringent, time-bound actions to protect the site.
Jaipur’s Walled City was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019 to recognize its historic urban planning, architecture, and cultural significance.
The Rajasthan High Court directed the Jaipur Development Authority and municipal corporations to survey unauthorised and unregulated construction in the Walled City and submit a report within two weeks. Authorities must also explain existing protection frameworks, enforcement actions, zoning and height restrictions, and provide immediate and long-term action plans before UNESCO submits its final report.
