Supreme Court Sets Deadline: Notify Saranda Sanctuary or Chief Secretary Faces Jail in Jharkhand

Ranchi, Jharkhand — September 18, 2025 The Supreme Court of India has issued a stern directive to the Jharkhand government insisting that the Saranda forest area be formally notified as a wildlife sanctuary. If the notification does not happen by October 8, 2025, the court has warned that the state’s Chief Secretary may face contempt proceedings — including possible jail time. The ruling comes after years of delays and mounting pressure from environmentalists, local communities, and judiciary oversight. Saranda forest, located in West Singhbhum district, is one of India’s largest sal (Shorea robusta) forests, known for its rich biodiversity, tribal populations, and ecological importance. For decades, Saranda has been under threat from mining, illegal logging, and unregulated human activities. Notifying it as a sanctuary would provide stronger legal protections under wildlife and forest laws, including restrictions on non-forest use, stronger oversight of developmental projects, and legal recourse for protections demanded by communities and environmental bodies. The Supreme Court’s order came after noting that despite multiple petitions and court directions, no concrete steps have been taken by the Jharkhand government to issue the required notification. The Court was unsatisfied with the excuses put forward — including ongoing studies and consultations — suggesting that these have been used to justify inaction for far too long. In its verdict, the court emphasized that environmental protection and legal compliance must be treated with urgency, not delay. Local tribal communities in Saranda have largely supported the move for sanctuary notification. They argue that the forest is their traditional home, and its resources are central to their livelihood — but due to weak legal protection, they face displacement, forest degradation, and loss of forest rights. Many see the sanctuary notification as a legal tool to help secure their rights, protect flora and fauna, and prevent unplanned industrial encroachment. Environmentalists, too, believe that formal status will help implement stricter measures against logging, poaching, and environmental degradation. On the other side, the state government has reportedly raised concerns about the economic implications of sanctuary status — particularly restrictions on mining, use of land in and around the forest, and how existing industries or future investments would be affected. The balance between conservation and economic development remains a key point of contention. However, the Supreme Court’s deadline underscores that those concerns cannot perpetually stall legally mandated environmental protection. The court has scheduled the Chief Secretary to appear for the contempt proceedings if the notification is not issued by the deadline. Legal experts note this is rare: holding a top bureaucrat personally accountable for failure to comply with judicial orders illustrates the seriousness with which the courts view environmental compliance and forest governance. For Jharkhand’s government, this is a moment of high stakes: ensuring both ecological integrity and managing development plans in Saranda will demand urgent policy and administrative action.