SC bans construction activity within 100 metres from edge of Rajasthan's Jojari river

New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Monday banned construction or development activity of any nature within a distance of 100 metres from the edge of Jojari river in Rajasthan.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the order in a suo motu case concerning contamination in the Jojari river. Earlier, the apex court had also flagged the issue of pollution in the Bandi and Luni rivers in the state.

The bench referred to the serious extent of the ecological degradation and the widespread destruction of the riverine ecosystem.

"... we are of the considered view that it is necessary to put in place an interim, definite and measurable area of protection so as to adequately safeguard the riverine ecosystem during the pendency of the scientific exercise for determination and demarcation of the high flood line and the requisite ecological buffer zones," the bench said.

"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," it said.

The bench observed that high flood line is yet to be scientifically determined and demarcated.

"... we consider it necessary, as an additional interim safeguard, to direct that no hazardous industry or activity having the potential to cause pollution, contamination or other damage to the riverine ecosystem shall be permitted within a distance of 500 metres on either side of the existing flood line, wherever such flood line has been identified, or the present flow path of the river until completion of the scientific exercise for determination and demarcation of the high flood line and the requisite ecological buffer zones," it said.

The bench posted the matter for hearing on September 22.

The detailed order is awaited.

On August 7, the top court had directed the Rajasthan government to constitute within a week an "Integrated Coordination Group" headed by the chief secretary to deal with the issue of contamination in the Jojari, Bandi and Luni rivers in the state.

The Jojari river passes through Jodhpur, the Bandi river flows through Pali and the Luni river runs through Balotra. The Bandi and Jojari rivers merge with the Luni river near Balotra city.

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