Chief Minister Hemant Soren had written a letter to Bhupendra Yadav, Minister of the Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department regarding Shri Sammed Shikharji. Taking prompt cognizance of the same, the Ministry has put an immediate stay on the implementation of the provisions of Clause 3 of the Eco Sensitive Zone Notification, which includes tourism and eco-tourism activities.
Soren had written a letter, keeping in mind the religious sentiments of Jain followers, urging them to take an appropriate decision in the context of notification No. O. 2795 (A) dated 02.08.2019 of the Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Government of India.
The CM had said through the letter that the Parasnath Sammed Shikhar is a world famous holy and revered pilgrimage site of the Jain community since mythological times. According to belief, Nirvana has been attained by 20 Tirthankaras out of total 24 Tirthankaras of Jainism at this place. Due to the Jain religious importance of this place, Jain followers from every corner of India and the world come here for pilgrimage.
The CM had urged the Centre that at present, applications have been received by many Jain followers to maintain the sanctity and cleanliness of this place and to cancel the notification No. O. 2795 (A) dated 02.08.2019 of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. Para 2.3 (VI) and Para 3 (3) of this notification mention eco-tourism including tourism, on which objections of the Jain community have been mentioned in the applications received. The State government fully respects the sentiments of Jain followers and is always committed to keep the sanctity of the said place intact. Therefore, no steps have been taken so far by the State Government for the implementation of Clause 2.3(VI) and Clause 3(3) of the said notification. Therefore, it is requested that in the light of the request received from the Jain followers, keeping in view their religious sentiments, please take appropriate decision regarding the notification No. O. 2795 (A) dated 02.08.2019 of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.