Current Affairs - Environment - Discussion

The Supreme Court has instructed the state of Jharkhand to officially designate the Saranda Forest as a wildlife sanctuary, recognizing its exceptional ecological and cultural importance. Saranda, located in the West Singhbhum district, is Asia’s largest natural Sal forest and a habitat for numerous endangered species such as the sal forest tortoise, four-horned antelope, Asian palm civet, and wild elephants. It also sustains several Adivasi communities whose livelihoods and cultural heritage are intertwined with the forest. The sanctuary status will provide legal protection under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, helping control mining pressures, prevent habitat loss, and promote sustainable conservation practices involving local communities.