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News India Live, Digital Desk: The Supreme Court of the country has once again given a historic and very strict decision regarding the protection of the environment. The Supreme Court has banned Asia’s largest Sal forest, located in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. saranda forest All types of mining activities have been banned with immediate effect. This decision is a big victory for all those environmental lovers who have been fighting to save this precious forest for years.
What is this big order of the Supreme Court?
This order is India’s longest and most important ongoing case to save forests, T.N. Godavarman vs Union of Indiahas come during the hearing of. The Supreme Court has made it clear that all the mining leases in Saranda forest which were renewed after December 12, 1996, will have to stop their work immediately.
The court said that following the 1996 judgment in the Godavarman case, any renewal of lease would be considered a “fresh lease” and fresh approval from the central government under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 was mandatory. Investigation found that the lease of many companies in Saranda was renewed without this mandatory approval, which was a direct violation of the old order of the Supreme Court.
Why is Saranda forest special?
The forest of Saranda is not just a bunch of trees. This is Asia’s densest and largest Sal forest spread over 800 square kilometers. It is home to countless wildlife and acts as the ‘lungs’ of the region to keep the environment balanced. The irony is that this forest also sits on valuable iron ore deposits, which is why mining companies have been digging here for decades.
How did this whole matter come to light?
This matter came to light when the Supreme Court appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) Investigated the mining going on in this area. While hearing the petition of an NGO named Common Cause, the court had given the responsibility of investigation to CEC. CEC found in its report that even after 1996, the lease continued to be renewed illegally, which caused huge damage to the forest.
This decision of the Supreme Court gives a clear message that any kind of industrial development cannot be allowed at the expense of the country’s environment and forests. This order will prove to be a milestone towards saving the Saranda forest and healing its wounds.