On Thursday, the center suspended all tourism activities in Jharkhand’s Palasnath hills. This came after an outcry and outcry from Jain communities across the country over the center’s 2019 notice to promote ecotourism in Jain holy sites. The Center also instructed state governments to take all necessary measures to protect the sacred sites.
According to media reports, the additional chief secretary of the state’s forestry department received an administrative memo from the United Environment Ministry following instructions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the matter. “The implementation of the provisions of Article 3 of the aforementioned Eco-Sensitive Zone Notice, including all tourism and ecotourism activities, will be postponed immediately,” the memorandum reads.
Earlier on Thursday, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren urged the Center to make an “appropriate decision” on one of the notifications. I have written to the Federal Minister of Forestry, Bhupender Yadav, to make an appropriate decision on the notice of the Center to maintain the sanctity of Samed Shikar in Parasnath.”
Previously, JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya said in an interview with Outlook that the JMM government in Jharkhand state is in solidarity with the Jain community, and that the state government is not allowed to do anything in the holy land that goes against Jain sentiments. said no. He also pointed out that the August 2019 notification was the brainchild of Raghubar Das, who at the time headed his BJP government of state and central governments.
Soren also said, keeping in mind the feelings of the Jain community, the state has refrained from acting on the stipulations of the Center’s notification.
Sri Pramansagar ji Maharaj, a monk from Digambhar, welcomed the government’s 2019 notice to suspend the provision and tighten the ban on the sale of meat and alcohol in mountainous areas. “The government also accepted our request and gave representation to two of our community members on the oversight committee, which is quite a move,” he said.
Maharaj ji had previously pledged 2 cents to the government’s notice, the death of a 72-year-old Rajasthan monk who continued to fast despite the notice, and the ongoing protests.
Shri Samet Shikarji, located in the Palasnath Hills of Giridi District, about 160 km from the state capital Ranch, is a devout Jain holy site for both Digambara and Shwetambaru and is one of the 24 Jain tirthankala. It is integral to the history of the community as 20 people have achieved ‘moksha’. ‘(salvation) here.
The big move comes after Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav met with a delegation from the Jain community on the issue that everyone is paying attention to. At an early meeting, Yadav assured Jain adherents of the government’s commitment to uphold the sanctity of ‘Samud Shikarji Parbat Kshetra’, a sacred site not only for the Jain community but for the entire country.
Fearing that increased notice and tourism activity will disturb the sanctity of their holy site, the Jain community has been demanding the government to reverse its decision on Parasnath.
Representatives of various Jain groups held a press conference to thank Prime Minister Modi for his decision to ensure the sanctity of their most sacred pilgrimage site. We have chosen different platforms to express our joy and satisfaction with.
The Ministry of Environment reiterates its commitment that the central government recognizes the sanctity of Samud Shikarji Parbat Kshetra and recognizes it as “important not only to the Jain community but to the nation as a whole and to maintain the same ” he said.
“In this regard, the State Government has been directed to immediately take all necessary measures to strictly enforce the provisions of Article 7.6.1 of the Management Plan for the Paraznas Wildlife Sanctuary, which protects the entire Paraznas Hill. Among other things, it categorically prohibits activities such as: sale of liquor, drugs and other intoxicants,” the memo said.
Implementation of the control plan prohibits the use of loud music and loudspeakers. Defile sites of religious and cultural significance such as sacred monuments, lakes, rocks, caves and shrines. Damages flora and fauna. cause environmental pollution. Harmful behavior to forests, water bodies, plants or animals, or disturbing the natural tranquility of such places. Come with your pet animal. No camping or trekking permitted in Parasnath Hills.