UditVani, New Delhi / Jamshedpur: In a major boost to forest conservation, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Jharkhand government to declare 31,468.25 hectares of the Saranda forest as a Wildlife Sanctuary, rejecting the state’s request to reduce the protected area.
The order, delivered by a bench comprising Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran, gives the state government four weeks to issue the official notification.
Earlier, during the hearing on October 27, the Jharkhand government had proposed to limit the sanctuary to 24,941.68 hectares, arguing that the larger area could affect local livelihoods, lead to the displacement of tribal families, and hinder operations of SAIL’s mining projects and related industrial activities in the region.
The apex court, however, dismissed the plea, emphasizing that ecological preservation cannot be compromised. The court further instructed the state to conduct public outreach initiatives to clarify that the declaration of the sanctuary would not adversely affect the rights and welfare of tribal and forest-dwelling communities.
Reassuring local concerns, the bench noted that all rights guaranteed under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) will remain fully protected.
Home to lush sal forests, elephants, and diverse flora and fauna, Saranda—often referred to as the “Land of Seven Hundred Hills”—is one of India’s most ecologically significant landscapes.
With this ruling, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed Saranda’s rightful place as a vital conservation zone, marking a historic step toward balancing tribal welfare and environmental protection in Jharkhand.
