Saranda Forest as Wildlife Sanctuary | 14 Oct 2025

Why in News?

The Jharkhand cabinet has approved a proposal to notify a portion of the Saranda forest in West Singhbhum district as a wildlife sanctuary, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive. 

• Saranda Forest, meaning “Land of Seven Hundred Hills,” is one of India’s richest sal forests and a critical elephant corridor.

Key Points

• Area Notified: The cabinet approved the notification of 314.65 sq km of the Saranda forest as a wildlife sanctuary, along with a 1 km eco-sensitive zone around it.
  • The move was approved by the Department of Forest & Climate Change.
  • The rights of Scheduled Tribes and traditional forest dwellers under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and access to state and central welfare schemes will remain protected.

Supreme Court’s Directive

• On 8th October 2025, the Supreme Court gave Jharkhand seven days to notify the Saranda forest as a wildlife sanctuary, warning of a writ of mandamus over repeated delays.
• The CJI-led bench allowed mining operations by Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) to continue in existing mines for projects of national importance, while prohibiting new mining leases in the region.
• The state expanded the proposed sanctuary area and also earmarked land for the Sasangdaburu Conservation Reserve.