The Jharkhand Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to notify 314.65 sq km of the Saranda forest in West Singhbhum district as a wildlife sanctuary. The decision came a day before the State Government is scheduled to file its affidavit in the Supreme Court, which is hearing a contempt petition over delays in notifying the sanctuary. Chief Minister Hemant Soren reiterated that while protecting biodiversity is essential, the livelihood and traditional rights of the tribal communities living in the region must remain intact.
Cabinet Cleared Plan Before Supreme Court Hearing
Cabinet Secretary Vandana Dadel informed that the Department of Forest and Climate Change proposal to declare the Saranda area as a sanctuary has been formally approved. The State will also notify a one-kilometre-wide eco-sensitive zone surrounding the designated area. The Supreme Court, in its 10th October directive, had asked Jharkhand to submit an undertaking within a week confirming the notification. The court had clarified that the sanctuary declaration would not affect ongoing mining operations by the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) and other entities functioning under valid clearances.
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Balancing Ecology and Tribal Livelihoods
Chief Minister Soren, while reviewing the proposal, stressed that conservation efforts must align with the rights and welfare of Scheduled Tribe communities residing in the Saranda region. Known as Asia’s largest Saal forest, Saranda is rich in biodiversity and mineral deposits, making it a sensitive zone where environmental and economic priorities often intersect.
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