Supreme Court Bans Mining Near National Parks and Sanctuaries
Source:The Hindu ↗
Why It Matters
Supreme Court rulings on Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ) and mining buffers around protected areas are highly relevant for GS3 Environment. The specific mention of Saranda and Sasangdaburu in Jharkhand presents potential Prelims geography/environment mapping questions, while the integration of the Forest Rights Act makes it crucial for GS2 governance and tribal rights.
Summary
The Supreme Court has instituted a pan-India ban on mining activities within a one-kilometer radius of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. A bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran ruled that such operations are hazardous to wildlife, expanding upon a prior Goa-specific ruling. During the hearing, the court directed the Jharkhand government to officially notify the ecologically sensitive Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary and the Sasangdaburu Conservation Reserve in West Singhbhum district. Furthermore, the court emphasized that the state must safeguard the traditional rights of tribal populations and forest dwellers in the region strictly in accordance with the Forest Rights Act.
Key Points
- The Supreme Court issued a pan-India ban on all mining activities within a 1-km radius of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to prevent hazards to wildlife.
- The ruling expands on a previous directive that applied exclusively to the State of Goa (Goa Foundation case).
- The SC directed the Jharkhand government to officially notify the Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary and the Sasangdaburu Conservation Reserve in West Singhbhum district.
- The court mandated that the rights of local tribals and forest dwellers in the region must be protected under the Forest Rights Act.
Important Terms
Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ)
Designated buffer areas surrounding Protected Areas intended to act as 'shock absorbers' by regulating human activities to minimize ecological damage.
UPSC context
GS-III Environment: Crucial for conservation strategies and implementing the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006
Legislation recognizing the individual and community forest rights of Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers over land and resources.
UPSC context
GS-II Governance/Social Justice: Key for questions on tribal welfare and community-led conservation.
Saranda Forest
Located in Jharkhand, it is one of Asia's largest Sal forests and a vital elephant corridor, historically designated as a 'Game Sanctuary'.
UPSC context
Prelims Geography/Environment: Tests knowledge of specific biodiversity hotspots and mining-environment conflicts.
National Parks
A category of protected area where human activity is strictly limited; grazing and private land rights are generally prohibited.
UPSC context
GS-III Environment: Essential for understanding the Protected Area Network under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Wildlife Sanctuary
An area designated to protect specific wildlife species where certain human activities are regulated but not entirely prohibited.
UPSC context
GS-III Environment: Focuses on biodiversity conservation and legal protections for flora and fauna.
Conservation Reserve
Protected areas acting as buffer zones or corridors between other protected sites, established by states after consulting local communities.
UPSC context
GS-III Environment: Covers specific conservation categories introduced via the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002.
Prelims Trap
Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ) are uniformly fixed at exactly 1 km around all National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
The 1-km limit is an absolute minimum buffer specifically for mining. General ESZ boundaries are site-specific, can extend up to 10 km, and regulate multiple activities beyond just mining.
Static Concepts Connected
What is the legal basis and purpose of Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ)?
- Legal Backing: ESZs are not mentioned in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. They are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Primary Purpose: They act as a "shock absorber" or transition zone from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection.
- Activity Categorization: Activities within ESZs are categorized as prohibited (e.g., commercial mining), regulated (e.g., felling of trees), or permitted (e.g., organic farming).
How does the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 apply to Protected Areas?
- Right Recognition: FRA recognizes traditional forest rights of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers even inside National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
- Critical Wildlife Habitats: Areas can be declared as 'Critical Wildlife Habitats' for inviolate conservation, but modifying or resettling rights requires the free, prior, and informed consent of the Gram Sabha.
Cross-Topic Patterns
Saranda: Iron Ore vs. Sal Forests
West Singhbhum is both a critical iron-ore mining hub and home to Asia's largest contiguous Sal forest, reflecting the frequent overlapping of mineral wealth and protected ecosystems in Central India.
Sanctuary Notifications vs. Tribal Rights
The ruling reinforces that declaring a sanctuary does not automatically extinguish tribal rights, linking Wildlife Protection Act notifications directly with Forest Rights Act compliance.
Expect a 2026 Prelims statement pairing Saranda Forest (Jharkhand/Sal trees) with the exact 1-km mining buffer rule and FRA provisions.
Linked PYQs · 5
Linked PYQs · 5
- 2014PrelimsGS1
With reference to 'Eco-Sensitive Zones', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 2. The purpose of the declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones is to prohibit all kinds of human activities in those zones except agriculture. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- 2012PrelimsGS1
In which one among the following categories of protected areas in India are local people not allowed to collect and use the biomass?
- 2019PrelimsGS1
Consider the following statements: 1. As per recent amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, forest dwellers have the right to fell the bamboos grown on forest areas. 2. As per the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, bamboo is a minor forest produce. 3. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 allows ownership of minor forest produce to forest dwellers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 2013PrelimsGS1
Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, who shall be the authority to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of individual or community forest rights or both?
- 2021PrelimsGS1
At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006?
