Supreme Court bans construction within 100 metres of Jojari River, restricts hazardous industries
In the wake of adverse impacts on the river ecosystem due to heavy pollution, the Supreme Court has placed constitutional moratorium on the construction and industrial operations of the areas around the Jojari river in Rajasthan.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta on Monday ordered no building or development work to be carried out within 100 metres in river zone till scientific measure was done to fix the High Flood Line (HFL) and buffer zones.
The court was also of the opinion that no hazardous industries will be allowed to be established within a radius of 500 metres or the path of the river from the HFL till the scientific study is completed. It was given on the consideration, suo motu, of pollution in the Jojari river, the health and livelihoods of which are said to be sacred to approximately two million people residing in the river.
The Supreme Court earlier had instructed the Rajasthan government to set up an Integrated Coordinated Group (ICG), headed by the chief secretary, as well as a River Rejuvenation Commission for river conservation, identification of encroachments and demarcation of HFLs.
Now the ICG has been asked to coordinate with a high powered committee headed by Justice Sangeet Lodha, retired judge, and prepare Comprehensive Resolution Plan for Jojari-Luni-Bandi river ecosystem. It also Carries out surveys to detect and eliminate encroachments and illegal mines in the riverbeds and ecological buffers.
The Justice Lodha committee has pointed out and reported cases of serious pollution in industries where inferior chemical waste, and even leaking of chemical waste directly into the river is alleged. The court has ordered to create a special investigation team to check such lapses and puts the companies and officials involved on criminal tracks if they are found to be responsible.
The matter will next be heard on September 22, when Rajasthan will be expected to submit another status report.