Categories: Jaipur News

Jaipur’s UNESCO Heritage Status at Risk, Rajasthan High Court Warns

Jaipur, October 5, 2026: Jaipur’s historic Walled City is facing a serious warning over the protection of its UNESCO World Heritage status. The Rajasthan High Court has called for urgent action as illegal construction, encroachments and changes to old buildings threaten the character of the Pink City.

The heritage status has not been withdrawn. Jaipur City remains on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The court proceedings concern how to protect that recognition and the historic area behind it.

What has the Rajasthan High Court said?

In an order dated September 26, Justice Pramil Kumar Mathur expressed concern over damage to the Walled City’s historic buildings and streetscape. The court warned that ineffective action before December 2026 could put its World Heritage recognition at serious risk.

The order pointed to unauthorised construction, alterations and encroachments, alongside weak enforcement of heritage rules. It also noted earlier UNESCO concerns.

Authorities asked to survey damaging construction

The court directed JDA and municipal authorities, through the state authorities, to survey unauthorised and unregulated construction damaging the Walled City and submit a report within two weeks. It also sought detailed information on conservation safeguards, enforcement and a phased plan to prevent further damage.

For residents, the issue concerns the familiar streets and buildings that give the Old City its identity, as well as the way changes to them are approved and monitored.

File photograph: a view from Hawa Mahal. This image is illustrative and does not show a construction violation identified by the court.

Latest update: government given two weeks to reply

On October 1, a bench of Chief Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal and Justice Sameer Jain directed that the matter be registered as a public interest litigation, or PIL. The Advocate General accepted notice on behalf of the respondents and was given two weeks to file a reply.

The case, titled In Re: Global Identity of the Pink City, is listed for the week beginning October 26, 2026. The court again stressed the need for immediate and effective measures to protect Jaipur’s heritage.

What is UNESCO asking for?

UNESCO’s 2025 decision asks India to submit the final Special Area Heritage Plan, together with an implementation strategy and timeline. It also seeks information about demolished historic houses, enforcement measures and the functioning of the Heritage Cell.

The decision sets December 1, 2026 as the deadline for an updated conservation report. This is a report-submission deadline; the decision does not say Jaipur will automatically lose its status that day.

Why the Walled City matters

Jaipur’s World Heritage recognition dates to 2019. UNESCO highlights its planned street grid, public squares known as chaupars, consistent market facades and continuing craft and trading traditions.

That means conservation is about more than individual monuments. The streets, bazaars, homes and temples together form the historic city. Protecting their character while people continue to live and work there is central to the issue.

Has Jaipur lost its UNESCO tag?

No. As of October 5, 2026, Jaipur City is still listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage property. The High Court has warned about the risk of losing that recognition and called for corrective action. A warning should not be reported as a completed removal.

The next court proceedings and the authorities’ conservation response will be important developments to watch.

Sources

Reporting checked against the above court orders and UNESCO records on October 5, 2026. Photographs are from Beautiful Jaipur’s existing media collection.

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