Editorial 1: Sanctuary Status for Forests of Saranda: Why It Matters
Context:
The recent developments surrounding the proposal to accord “sanctuary” status to the Saranda forests in Jharkhand have reignited debates over the balance between ecological preservation, tribal rights, and economic interests
Ecological Value of Saranda:
- Located in the West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, the Saranda forest is India’s largest sal (Shorea robusta) forest, covering over 82,000 hectares.
- The region is an ecological treasure, home to over 200 species of flora and fauna, including elephants, leopards, and several endemic species.
- It also forms a vital part of the Singhbhum Elephant Reserve, serving as a critical wildlife corridor connecting Jharkhand with Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
- Saranda’s dense sal canopy, water streams, and biodiversity make it a natural carbon sink and a key component of India’s eastern forest ecosystem.
- However, beneath this ecological wealth lies immense mineral wealth, particularly iron ore, making it a hotspot of industrial interest.
Reasons for making it a Sanctuary:
- The demand for Saranda’s protection dates back to 1968, when the Bihar government recommended declaring it a wildlife sanctuary.
- The proposal gained renewed traction after reports of extensive mining-induced degradation and loss of elephant habitat.
- Despite multiple recommendations from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the sanctuary proposal remained unimplemented.
- In 2020, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Jharkhand government to act on earlier recommendations and submit a proposal for notification under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- However, the state government’s inaction prompted environmentalists to approach the Supreme Court, which is now examining the case.
Environmental and legal dimensions of the case:
- The central issue lies in balancing conservation obligations with economic development.
- Mining activities in Saranda have fragmented wildlife habitats, disrupted elephant corridors, and contaminated rivers with red-mud waste.
- The 2011 Saranda Action Plan, aimed at rehabilitation and reforestation, has yielded limited success due to continued mining leases.
- Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, declaring Saranda a sanctuary would ensure stricter regulation of industrial activities, restrict mining, and promote community-based conservation.
- However, it also raises concerns regarding the livelihoods and rights of local Adivasi communities, primarily the Ho tribe, who depend on forest produce for sustenance.
Balancing tribal rights with Ecological conservation:
- The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution and the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) mandate consultation with local gram sabhas before altering land use in Scheduled Areas.
- Critics argue that declaring Saranda a sanctuary without adequate consultation could violate these rights.
- Conversely, proponents emphasize that sustainable conservation could benefit both biodiversity and tribal welfare through eco-tourism and forest-based livelihoods.
Steps recommended for resolving the issue:
- The Saranda issue underscores the broader challenge of reconciling ecological integrity with developmental aspirations.
- A balanced approach is needed, one that integrates scientific conservation, community participation, and sustainable resource use.
- The state must prioritize ecological restoration, enforce mining accountability, and ensure that tribal communities are central to the decision-making process.
- If declared a sanctuary, Saranda could become a model for inclusive conservation, reflecting India’s constitutional commitment to environmental protection under Article 48A and the right to a healthy environment under Article 21.
Way forward:
Granting sanctuary status to the Saranda forests would mark a crucial step in protecting one of India’s last great sal forests while reaffirming the country’s vision of sustainable and participatory environmental governance.