Saranda Forest wildlife sanctuary order by Supreme Court directs Jharkhand to notify 31,468 hectares as a protected area, restrict mining within 1 km, and safeguard tribal rights. Important current affairs update for competitive exams.

SC Orders Jharkhand to Declare Saranda Forest a Wildlife Sanctuary

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Jharkhand government to officially declare 31,468.25 hectares (approximately 314 sq km) of the Saranda Forest as a wildlife sanctuary within three months The court’s order excludes six forest compartments (KP-2, KP-10, KP-11, KP-12, KP-13, KP-14) from the sanctuary because they are designated for mining under the state’s Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM).

The Bench, comprising Chief Justice B. R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran, underscored that this notification must also involve wide publicity so that tribal and forest-dwelling communities are aware that their individual and community rights remain protected.

Importantly, the court reiterated that mining activities will not be permitted within a 1-kilometre eco-sensitive zone around the sanctuary’s boundary. The bench referred to its earlier direction (from the Goa Foundation case, 2023) prohibiting mining within one kilometre of notified protected areas.

The court also insisted that essential public infrastructure—such as schools, dispensaries, roads, and rail lines—should continue to function in and around the region, and these should be explicitly protected in the notification so that local communities do not fear loss of access.

This judgment comes after repeated delays by the state government. The court has previously expressed serious displeasure, even threatening contempt proceedings against Jharkhand’s Chief Secretary for failing to issue the sanctuary notification.

Why This News Matters

For Environmental Conservation

By declaring the Saranda Forest a wildlife sanctuary, the Supreme Court aims to provide legal protection under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, allowing stricter regulatory measures against deforestation, poaching, and unsustainable resource extraction. Such a move strengthens India’s conservation framework by elevating Saranda’s ecological status.

For Tribal Rights

The ruling is particularly significant because it explicitly protects the rights of tribal and forest-dwelling communities. The court mandated wide publicity to ensure that locals understand that their community and individual forest rights, as per the Forest Rights Act (FRA), will not be negated by the sanctuary notification. his is crucial in a region heavily populated by Adivasi groups like the Ho, Munda, and Uraon, who depend on the forest for livelihood.

For Environmental Governance

This judgment reflects the judiciary’s active role in balancing development and conservation, especially in mineral-rich regions. By restricting mining within a 1 km buffer zone of the sanctuary, the court is sending a clear message: economic development cannot come at the cost of ecological degradation. This is a key precedent in environmental governance for future protected area designations.

Historical Context: Background to the Saranda Sanctuary Case

The Saranda Forest, located in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, is one of Asia’s largest Sal (Shorea robusta) forests.
In 1968, a notification by the then unified Bihar government declared parts of the forest (31,468.25 hectares) as “Saranda Game Sanctuary” under Bihar’s forest laws.
Over the years, competing interests have emerged: on one side, mining companies target rich iron ore reserves in the region; on the other, environmentalists and tribal communities argue for stronger protective status to conserve biodiversity and protect indigenous rights.
The Supreme Court has repeatedly urged the state to formalize protection. In previous hearings, the court even threatened contempt action when the government delayed notification.
Now, with this order, the court is enforcing legal protection under the Wildlife Protection Act and reaffirming tribal rights under the FRA, while also making sure mining does not encroach upon the sanctuary or its buffer zone.

Key Takeaways from This News

S. No.	Key Takeaway
1	The Supreme Court has ordered Jharkhand to notify 31,468.25 hectares of Saranda Forest as a wildlife sanctuary within 3 months.
2	Mining is prohibited within a 1-km radius of the sanctuary boundary.
3	Six forest compartments (KP-2, KP-10, KP-11, KP-12, KP-13, KP-14) are excluded from the sanctuary because they are earmarked for mining.
4	The court has mandated wide publicity to ensure tribal and forest dwellers know their rights under the Forest Rights Act are protected.
5	Essential public infrastructure — such as schools, roads, and rail lines — will continue to be permitted and must be explicitly protected in the notification.

Saranda Forest wildlife sanctuary

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Saranda Forest and where is it located?

Saranda Forest is one of Asia’s largest Sal forests, located in the West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. It spans thousands of hectares and is known for its rich biodiversity and iron ore reserves.

2. Why did the Supreme Court order Jharkhand to declare Saranda a wildlife sanctuary?

The Supreme Court issued the order to ensure long-term conservation, protect biodiversity, regulate mining activities, and secure the rights of tribal communities living in the region.

3. What is the size of the area to be declared as a wildlife sanctuary?

A total of 31,468.25 hectares (approx. 314 sq. km) of forest land must be notified as a wildlife sanctuary.

4. Which compartments are excluded from the sanctuary?

Six forest compartments—KP-2, KP-10, KP-11, KP-12, KP-13, KP-14—were excluded because they fall under Jharkhand’s Management Plan for Sustainable Mining.

5. What restrictions apply after the sanctuary notification?

Mining will not be allowed within 1 km of the sanctuary boundary as per the Supreme Court’s directions.

6. Will tribal rights be affected after declaring the sanctuary?

No. The Supreme Court emphasised that the rights of tribes and forest dwellers under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 must remain safeguarded.

7. What public infrastructure is allowed to continue operating?

Schools, dispensaries, ration shops, roads, and railway lines will continue to operate and must be protected in the notification.

8. What earlier judgment did the Supreme Court reference?

The court recalled the Goa Foundation 2023 judgment, which prohibited mining within 1 km of protected areas.

9. Why has Saranda been in the news previously?

Saranda has frequently been in the news due to illegal mining, ecological degradation, and tribal displacement issues.

10. How is this news relevant for competitive exams?

It touches upon environment, ecology, tribal rights, Supreme Court judgments, conservation policies, and geography—important topics for UPSC, State PSCs, SSC, Banking, Railways, and Defence exams.