NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday prohibited all construction and development activities within 100 metres of the edge of the Jojari river in Rajasthan, citing the serious ecological degradation and widespread destruction of its riverine ecosystem.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the order while hearing a suo motu case concerning contamination of the Jojari river. The apex court has also raised concerns over pollution in the Bandi and Luni rivers in the state.
The bench said an interim, definite and measurable area of protection was necessary to safeguard the river ecosystem while a scientific exercise to determine and demarcate the high flood line and appropriate ecological buffer zones was pending.
“Hence, we hereby direct that no construction or development activity of any nature whatsoever shall be permitted within a distance of 100 metres from the edge of the river in accordance with the aforesaid guidelines,” the court said.
The bench noted that the high flood line of the Jojari river had not yet been scientifically determined and demarcated.
As an additional interim safeguard, the court also prohibited hazardous industries or activities capable of causing pollution, contamination or other damage to the riverine ecosystem within 500 metres on either side of the existing flood line, wherever it has been identified.
The 500-metre restriction will also apply on either side of the present flow path of the river until the scientific exercise to determine the high flood line and required ecological buffer zones is completed.
The court posted the matter for further hearing on September 22. A detailed order is awaited.
On August 7, the Supreme Court had directed the Rajasthan government to constitute an “Integrated Coordination Group” (ICG), headed by the chief secretary, within a week to address contamination in the Jojari, Bandi and Luni rivers.
The Jojari flows through Jodhpur, while the Bandi passes through Pali and the Luni through Balotra. The Bandi and Jojari eventually merge with the Luni river near Balotra city.