New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Thursday issued a sweeping directive banning mining operations within a one-kilometre radius of all national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, citing the potential threats posed to flora and fauna in these ecologically sensitive areas.
The order came from a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran, while hearing petitions concerning the notification of sections of Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary (SWL) and Sasangdaburu Conservation Reserve (SCR) in Jharkhand as protected areas.
“It has been the consistent view of this court that mining activities within one km of a protected area will be hazardous to wildlife,” the Bench stated. “Although similar directions were earlier issued for the State of Goa, we deem it necessary to extend such measures across India.”
The Court emphasized that no mining shall be allowed within national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, or within one kilometre of their boundaries, effectively creating a nationwide protective buffer.
Additionally, the Bench instructed the Jharkhand government to formally notify the Saranda region as a wildlife sanctuary. It underscored that the rights of tribals and forest dwellers must be safeguarded in accordance with the Forest Rights Act, and directed the state to publicize these protections widely.
The case pertains to a long-standing proposal to declare the ecologically rich Saranda and Sasangdaburu forests in West Singhbhum district as a wildlife sanctuary and conservation reserve, respectively. The Jharkhand government had proposed a notification covering 57,519.41 hectares, exceeding the earlier plan of 31,468.25 hectares.
The Supreme Court’s ruling marks a significant step in conservation policy, ensuring stricter protection for India’s wildlife while balancing the rights of local communities.
