COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION Vs. STATE OF JHARKHAND REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, GOVT. OF JHARKHAND, RANCHI AND OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Saranda forest is a dense forest in the hilly region of West Singhbhum district in the Indian State of Jharkhand. The forest covers an area of 820 square km (16431 htm). Saranda literally means seven hundred hills. Thalkobad is a scenic village at a height of 550m (1,800 ft) in the heart of the forest. Thalkobad is about 46 km (29 mi) from Manoharpur, and about 160 km (99 mi) from Jamshedpur. Ho people inhabit the area, which is dotted with iron ore. There are 42 revenue villages and 10 forest villages that are located in the Saranda forest area. The villages most dependent on the forests for their livelihood earning through collection of NTFP's and few are employed in forestry operations. The agriculture is mostly rain fed as there are no major irrigation facilities available to the villagers.

(2.) In order to bring about growth in the area, Union of India launched a series of developmental projects - Saranda Action Plan/Saranda Development Plan. It is reported in the Hindustan Times dated May, 14, 2014 that though the plan opened up opportunities for development, many of the programmes envisaged and launched around three years ago have not translated into reality. It is reported that the biggest setback has been the poor follow-up action by the district administration and the State Government. It is further reported that despite a slew of development schemes, villagers have to trek miles to get access to water in Saranda. It is also reported that nothing has been done on the water front and that elderly people, women and minors are often seen carrying pots on their heads and traveling miles to fetch water. In summer, people have to trek miles to have potable water.

(3.) Water is the elixir of life. Without potable water, life becomes difficult for human life and also for other living beings. Providing basic amenities such as drinking water, roads, irrigation facilities and various other social security schemes to the Tribals and other people living in the forest is the constitutional mandate of the Welfare State. Therefore, the aforesaid news item dated 14th May, 2014 published in "Hindustan Times" is taken up as suo motu Public Interest Litigation against the following respondents:-