Today, On 13th November, The Supreme Court has directed Jharkhand to notify 126 compartments as the Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary and prohibited any mining activity within a one-kilometre radius of its boundary.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court pronounced its judgment on the Jharkhand government’s plea seeking to reduce the proposed Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary’s area from 310 sq km to 250 sq km.
The State had sought to exclude around 60 sq km of forest land inhabited by tribal communities, arguing that the move would help safeguard their forest rights and protect schools and educational institutions already existing within that region.
During the proceedings, Chief Justice of India (CJI) noted that the government had altered the proposed sanctuary’s area multiple times over the years.
CJI remarked,
“The Court has noted that the government has repeatedly altered the proposed sanctuary area. Of the 128 compartments, most are earmarked for conservation and not mining, two additional compartments have been allowed for mining purposes. The rights of tribals remain safeguarded under Sections 3 and 4 of the Forest Rights Act and Section 2(c) of the Forest (Conservation) Act.”
Delivering its directions, the bench led by the CJI instructed the Jharkhand government to formally notify 126 compartments, excluding six compartments designated for mining, as the Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary.
The bench also made it clear that no mining activity will be permitted within 1 km of the sanctuary’s boundary.
The Court further directed the State to make a public affirmation that all individual and community rights of tribals and forest dwellers will remain protected, ensuring that conservation measures do not come at the cost of indigenous livelihoods.
The decision balances ecological preservation with the protection of tribal and forest dwellers’ rights, reinforcing the constitutional and statutory safeguards under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 and the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
Case Title: IN RE: SARANDA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
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