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2w ago

Supreme Court Sends Sariska Boundary Plan Back for Review, Demands Replies on Satkosia Permits

The court set an August 12 date to revisit Sariska’s boundary rationalisation; ministries and state agencies must file responses on Satkosia’s NOC approvals.

The bench was considering the issue of management of Sariska Tiger Reserve in the TN Godavarman case, pertaining to protecting wildlife and forests across the country.

Overview

  • The apex court returned Sariska Tiger Reserve’s boundary rationalisation proposal to the NTCA and SC-NBWL for fresh consideration after finding lapses in mandatory public consultation and statutory compliance.
  • Chief Justice Bhushan R. Gavai’s bench reprimanded expert panels for granting NTCA and SC-NBWL approvals within 48 hours, describing the process as perfunctory.
  • The contested plan would expand Sariska’s critical tiger habitat from 881 sq km to 924 sq km while reducing its buffer from 245 sq km to 203 sq km, a move alleged to favour more than 50 suspended marble and dolomite mines.
  • In a separate case, advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal challenged provisional No Objection Certificates issued for tourism constructions at Odisha’s Satkosia Tiger Reserve, citing violations of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and eco-sensitive zone norms.
  • The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Union government, the Central Empowered Committee, Odisha authorities and district collectors on the Satkosia petition, ordering formal responses ahead of the next hearing.