New Delhi, Nov 13 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Thursaday directed that no mining activity will take place within national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and within one kilometre from their boundaries, extending the restriction across the entire country.
Reiterating its earlier order dated April 26, 2023, the court observed that although the restriction was initially imposed in respect of Goa in the Goa Foundation case, the same needed to be enforced on a pan-India basis to protect wildlife and ecological balance.
The bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran, while hearing the long-standing TN Godavarman Thirumalpad case, stated, “Mining activities within an area of one kilometre of the boundary of the Protected Areas will be hazardous for the wildlife. Though in the case of Goa Foundation, the said directions were issued in respect of the State of Goa, we find that such directions need to be issued on a Pan-India basis.”
Accordingly, the court reiterated that “mining within the National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary and within an area of one kilometre from the boundary of such National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary shall not be permissible.”
The bench also directed the State of Jharkhand to notify the Saranda region as a wildlife sanctuary and ensure that the rights of tribals and forest dwellers are protected under the Forest Rights Act.
It clarified that schools, rail lines, and dispensaries in the region will remain protected, but no mining operations will be allowed.
