The Supreme Court is navigating a complex environmental and economic challenge in Jharkhand's Saranda forest, balancing ecological preservation with the need for mineral resources for national projects like Chandrayaan. In a recent hearing, the court granted the Jharkhand government a week to decide on declaring the ecologically significant Saranda forest region in West Singhbhum district as a wildlife sanctuary. At the same time, it allowed the Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) to continue mining iron ore from its existing mines in the area.
The Saranda forest, Asia's largest Sal forest, is rich in biodiversity, serving as a crucial elephant corridor and home to various medicinal plants and tribal communities. The proposal to declare Saranda and the adjacent Sasangdaburu forests as a wildlife sanctuary and conservation reserve, respectively, has been under consideration for several years. The initial proposal sought to declare 31,468.25 hectares as a sanctuary, but Jharkhand later expanded the proposed area to 57,519.41 hectares for the sanctuary and 13,603.806 hectares for the Sasangdaburu Conservation Reserve.
Despite these plans, the notification process has faced significant delays. The Supreme Court has expressed its displeasure with the Jharkhand government's "dilly-dallying tactics" and "totally unfair conduct" regarding the pending notification. The court had previously directed Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar to appear personally to explain the delays.
The court's recent order aims to push the state government to make a final decision. While the court has made it clear that it is "not interested in sending anybody to jail," it has warned that it may issue a writ of mandamus if the state fails to act. The case is scheduled for further consideration on October 15, 2025.
Complicating the matter is the economic significance of the Saranda forest. The region contains vast deposits of iron ore and other minerals, making it a hotspot for mining activities. The Mines Department has cautioned that declaring the area a sanctuary could disrupt mining operations, reduce Jharkhand's ore production, and cause substantial financial losses. They estimate that approximately 26% of the Saranda region contains iron ore reserves valued at ₹25-30 lakh crores. A sanctuary designation could reduce the state's annual 20-million-tonne ore production, leading to a loss of ₹5000-8000 crores annually in royalty, cess, and DMFT collections. The Industry Department has also voiced concerns about potential job losses and the impact on MSME units and exports.
Recognizing the importance of steel production for national projects, including the Chandrayaan missions, the Supreme Court has allowed SAIL to continue mining from its existing iron ore mines near the proposed sanctuary. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing SAIL, emphasized the company's reliance on these mines. The court clarified that mining can continue only in already operational mines or those with previously granted leases and directed that no new mining leases be issued in the area.
The Supreme Court's decision reflects an attempt to strike a balance between environmental protection and the economic needs of the state and the nation. The court is giving Jharkhand a final chance to fulfill its environmental commitments while ensuring that essential industries can continue to operate. The next week will be critical as the Jharkhand government must weigh the ecological importance of the Saranda forest against the potential economic consequences of declaring it a wildlife sanctuary.
