Supreme Court Reserves Verdict on Saranda, Sasangdaburu

The Supreme Court reserved its judgment on the long-pending notification of Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary (SWL) and Sasangdaburu Conservation Reserve (SCR) in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand.

A bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran heard submissions from amicus curiae K. Parmeswar, senior advocate Kapil Sibal representing the Jharkhand government, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).

The amicus curiae highlighted delays in notifying the areas as conservation reserves and alleged a reduction in the proposed sanctuary from 31,468.25 hectares to about 24,000 hectares to favour private mining interests. The state, through Kapil Sibal, refuted this, noting that 38 percent of Jharkhand is forest and reaffirming its commitment to preservation.

The Solicitor General requested continued mining from existing SAIL mines near the proposed sanctuary, citing the national importance of steel supply for projects including India’s space missions. The court permitted mining from operational or previously-leased mines but barred granting fresh leases in the sanctuary area.

The Jharkhand government had earlier proposed expanding the sanctuary from 31,468.25 hectares to 57,519.41 hectares, with an additional 13,603.806 hectares for the Sasangdaburu Conservation Reserve. The Bench had previously reprimanded the state for delays and warned it to act promptly or face a writ of mandamus.

The Supreme Court has directed all parties to submit written arguments by Friday, after which the verdict will be pronounced. The dispute underscores the tension between ecological conservation and industrial activity in one of India’s richest forest belts.