NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Jharkhand govt to notify 314 sq km of the Saranda Forest, marked by dense growth of pristine Sal trees, as a wildlife sanctuary within three months and said this would not in any manner impede the rights of forest dwellers and tribals.In its first decision in 1996 three decades since its favour of green activism SC had framed a broad definition of forest, laid down a stringent approval regime for diversion of forest as well as compensatory afforestation and mandated prior permission from the Central Empowered Committee (CEC). A bench of Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran severely criticised the Hemant Soren govt for its delay in notifying the Saranda Forest and vacillating on its area, and said Jharkhand had consistently taken a stand that in an area measuring 314 sqkm no mining activities are carried out and the land is not diverted for any non-forest use. Writing the 71-page judgment, CJI Gavai said, “We see no reason as to why the state should now change its stand to reduce the area of the wildlife sanctuary from 314 sqkm to 249 sqkm.“ The apex court also protected the ongoing mining activities on behalf of the Steel Authority of India Limited and said the schools, dispensaries and other public structures, including road and rail links, would not be disturbed by the Saranda Forest being notified as a wildlife sanctuary. Jharkhand had taken shelter behind the existence of roads, schools and agricultural land in the area as well as the need for protection of forest rights of a sizeable population of tribals as reasons for reduction in the Saranda Sanctuary area.
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