Saranda Forest Wildlife Sanctuary Order by Supreme Court
Why in the news
The Supreme Court asked Jharkhand to give sanctuary status to part of Saranda, balancing biodiversity protection with sustainable iron ore mining.
Key facts
- Area: 31,468.25 hectares (about 314 sq km).
- Location: West Singhbhum, Jharkhand; dense tropical Sal forest.
- Wildlife: Asiatic elephants, chousingha, mouse deer and sloth bears.
- Critically endangered: sal forest tortoise (endemic), four-horned antelope, Asian palm civet and wild elephants.
People
Ho, Munda, Uraon and related Adivasi groups live here; their subsistence and cultural traditions are tied to forest produce.
Exam angle
- Place: Saranda, West Singhbhum, Jharkhand.
- Tension: biodiversity protection against iron ore mining.