Centre stays all tourism activities at Sammed Shikharji in Jharkhand

Place falls in eco-sensitive zone, says Union Environment Minister

The centre on Thursday halted tourism at Jharkhand’s Parasnath Hill where the Jain religious site of Sammed Shikharji is located after protests by the minority community.

The decision came after the Environment Ministry received complaints from religious and environmental organisations about the alleged faulty implementation by the Jharkhand government of provisions in the notification of Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary. Jain groups said that negligence by Jharkhand authorities hurt their sentiments.

“Sammed Shikhar falls in the eco-sensitive zone of Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary and Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary. There is a list of prohibited activities that can't take place