Jawai - Land of the Leopard

A wildlife lovers delight, primarily one can see leopards as kings and queens of the land without tigers troubling them. We went with Sashank Birla as our guide, he picked us up and dropped us back to Udaipur. (search his handles on Instagram, his website and his Facebook page). He specialises in safaris in game sanctuaries. We stayed at Jawai Greens, a cosy little resort in the middle of the Leopard Conservancy.

A leopard in silhouette

There is then the anecdote of a Bishnoi (or Rabari) who considers it a privilege for a leopard to take his goat (apart from the compensation paid by the government). There is a single case of a leopard attacking a human and that was when he tried to drag away the leopard’s prey.

A Rabadri
Distinguished by their red turbans

Jawai is located about 3-4 hours from Udaipur in Pali District. This is a rock-strewn area with hillocks, mainly of stone and sometimes of mud all over. With the rains recently abating the lakes and streams are full as are just about any potholes. 

Reflection of a tree

It is mainly about leopards. Each of them has a name and we saw and identified Padma and her two cubs and another one (F2?). Though a census of these cats has not been done, it is said there are about 60 in about 60 square kilometres. 

Padma and her two cubs

Leopards are intelligent, very strong, and blazing fast. The spots are actually called rosettes which make a fine and intricate pattern against the pale fur.

Another pic of Padma and her two cubs

As luck would have it, the leopards got progressively closer, till the last one and her cubs was at a few meters distance. 

F2 is closer

Padma's cub is closest

But it is not all about leopards, one saw many other birds and animals, Indian fox, Rusty spotted cat, langurs, nilgai, white-breasted kingfisher, Eurasian roller, sirkeer malkoha, and much more.

Sirkeer Malkoha

Indian Fox

Rusty Spotted cat (possibly the smallest cat in the world)

Dragonfly

Indian Eagle Owl

Off-roading is at a very different and high level here, the cars are all Gypsies, the driver (and all are trained in off-roading) took us over the steepest rocks, water bodies and the thorns which were common. No video or still does credit to the drivers of Jawai. 

Gypsy and driver

Jawai Bandh is the place to go if one loves unspoiled (so far) nature.