I. INTRODUCTION

1. The issue in the present matter pertains to the Saranda forest area in the State of Jharkhand which is undisputedly one of the most pristine Sal forests in the world. It is a biodiversity hotspot, interconnected with forests in the States of Odisha and Chhattisgarh, creating a contiguous wildlife corridor. The region is rich in biodiversity and wildlife and includes within its confines the critically endangered and endemic Sal Forest Tortoise, four horned antelope, Asian palm civet, wild elephants, leopards, sambar and chital deer, bison, barking deer, and numerous species of birds and reptiles.

2. The erstwhile unified State of Bihar, by a notification bearing No. 1168F dated 16th February 1968 (Hereinafter, "1968 Notification") declared an extent of 31,468.25 hectares (approx. 314 sq. kms) in the Saranda forest area as the "Saranda Game Sanctuary". This was done pursuant to relevant provisions of the Bihar Forest, Hunting, Shooting and Fishing Rules, 1958. On bifurcation of the then State of Bihar into States of Bihar and Jharkhand, this area now falls within the State of Jharkhand.

3. One Dr. R.K. Singh, a distinguished wildlife scientist, being aggrieved by