What is the Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary?

The Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest area in the Jharkhand state of India, spanning 31,468.25 hectares.

Home / Environment / Supreme Court Declares Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary, Bans Mining Nearby

Supreme Court Declares Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary, Bans Mining Nearby

Q: How did the Supreme Court rule on the Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary?

The Supreme Court directed the Jharkhand government to notify the Saranda forest region as a wildlife sanctuary, excluding six compartments for mining activities.

Q: What other ruling did the Supreme Court make regarding mining?

The Supreme Court banned mining within national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and within 1 km of their boundaries across India, citing the need to protect wildlife habitats.

13 Nov

•

Summary

Jharkhand ordered to notify 126 compartments as Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary
6 compartments excluded for mining activities
Mining banned within 1 km of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries

Supreme Court Declares Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary, Bans Mining Nearby

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has ordered the Jharkhand government to notify the Saranda forest region as a wildlife sanctuary, excluding six compartments designated for mining activities. The court observed that the state government cannot shy away from its duty to protect the ecologically-rich Saranda area, which spans 31,468.25 hectares.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran, directed the state to notify the 126 compartments as a wildlife sanctuary within three months. However, the court excluded six compartments, KP-2, KP-10, KP-11, KP-12, KP-13, and KP-14, to allow for mining operations.

Notably, the court also issued a pan-India directive, stating that mining within national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and within 1 km of their boundaries shall not be permissible. The judges emphasized that such activities would be hazardous to wildlife, drawing from a previous ruling regarding Goa.