The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) issued a notification in January 2026 declaring an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan's Aravalli mountain range. The ESZ extends from zero to one kilometre from the sanctuary's boundary, covering approximately 243 square kilometres and encompassing 94 villages across the districts of Udaipur, Pali, and Rajsamand.

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, famous for its medieval fort and the Great Wall of India (the second-longest continuous wall in the world after the Great Wall of China), is a rich biodiversity zone. It supports leopards, striped hyenas, jungle cats, Indian pangolins, wolves, foxes, and diverse bird species. The sanctuary is part of the Aravalli mountain range, which is the oldest fold mountain system in India.

The ESZ prohibits commercial mining, setting up of saw mills, industries causing pollution, brick kilns, and any new large-scale tourism infrastructure within the zone. However, traditional livelihoods and small-scale regulated activities of the 94 villages are permitted. A Monitoring Committee has been formed to ensure compliance with ESZ guidelines. The designation acts as a transition zone between the protected sanctuary and surrounding human habitations, aligning with the Supreme Court's directive for ESZs to serve as shock-absorbers.

For Rajasthan, this notification holds significance as Kumbhalgarh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as part of Hill Forts of Rajasthan, 2013) and a major eco-tourism destination. The ESZ designation will protect its biodiversity while regulating development pressure from tourism and urbanisation.