The Supreme Court has expressed strong displeasure over the Jharkhand Government’s continued delay in notifying the Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary, a project ordered by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2022. The court warned that the Chief Secretary of Jharkhand could face jail if the State failed to comply. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for 8th October, with the Chief Secretary directed to be present.
Also Read: Supreme Court Summoned Chief Secretary Jharkhand to Appear on 8th October for Contempt Proceedings
NGT Directed 400 sq km Sanctuary, Govt Proposed Larger Area
The NGT had, on 12th July 2022, ordered the Jharkhand Government to declare 400 Sq. Km. of Saranda forest in West Singhbhum district as a wildlife sanctuary. However, the State’s affidavit submitted on 29th April proposed a larger 57519.41 hectare (about 575 Sq. Km.) sanctuary, replacing the NGT’s original 31468 hectare proposal. The Government also suggested notifying 13.06 Sq. Km. as Sasangdaburu Protected Reserve. The Supreme Court, however, viewed the delay and procedural back and forth as deliberate procrastination.
Also Read: Jharkhand Cabinet Formed Group of Ministers to Examine Saranda Sanctuary Proposal
Departments Raised Objections Over Mining Impact
The Government’s move has run into opposition from its own departments. The Mines Department warned that around 26% of the Saranda region contains Iron ore reserves estimated at 4700 million tonnes, valued between Rs. 25–30 lakh crores. It cautioned that declaring the area as a sanctuary would disrupt mining operations, reduce Jharkhand’s annual 20-million-tonne ore production, and cause a loss of Rs. 5000 to 8000 crores annually in royalty, cess, and DMFT collections. The Industry Department also raised concerns that over 4.2 lakh jobs linked directly or indirectly to mining would be affected, along with 2000 MSME units and exports worth Rs. 4400 crores annually.
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Finance Department Warned of Revenue and Livelihood Losses
The Finance Department also warned that the proposal would adversely affect State revenue and local livelihoods. It stated that the move could complicate royalty recovery from future mining leases and hurt the State’s fiscal stability. Officials noted that the Saranda region is among Asia’s richest Iron ore belts, vital to companies such as Tata Steel, SAIL, and private operators dependent on its reserves.
Also Read: Jharkhand High Court Issued Contempt Notices to Top Officials Including Chief Secretary
Government Formed Ministers’ Group Amid Local Resistance
Facing the court’s rebuke, the Jharkhand Government has constituted a five-member Group of Ministers (GoM) chaired by Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore to review the issue. The panel includes Ministers Deepika Singh Pandey, Sanjay Prasad Yadav, Sudivya Kumar Sonu, and Deepak Birua. The GoM visited the Saranda area twice, but their recent outreach programmes were disrupted by villagers’ protests, who argued that the sanctuary would “destroy their traditional lifestyle and cultural heritage.”
Also Read: Iron Ore Mines in Jharkhand Remained Closed, Despite Market Demand
CM Soren in Delhi for Legal Consultations Before Next Hearing
With the hearing scheduled for 8th October 2025, Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar are in New Delhi to consult legal experts. Sources indicated that the State might seek additional time from the Supreme Court, citing conflicting departmental opinions. However, with the Court taking a firm stand, the Saranda case has emerged as a test of Jharkhand’s balance between ecological preservation and economic dependence on mining.
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