Supreme Court bans construction near Rajasthan's Jojari River

The Supreme Court of India has imposed an interim ban on all construction and development activities within 100 meters of the Jojari River in Rajasthan. This measure aims to protect the river's ecosystem from further degradation while scientific assessments are conducted to define permanent ecological buffer zones and high flood lines.

In addition to the construction ban, the court prohibited hazardous industries or activities capable of causing pollution or contamination within 500 meters of the river's existing flood line or present flow path. The legal intervention follows a suo motu case regarding severe industrial pollution, specifically the discharge of untreated waste into the Jojari, Bandi, and Luni rivers.

The court expressed concern over the failure of government agencies to monitor industrial effluents and protect the health of surrounding communities. To assist in the scientific demarcation process, the court assigned the project to a National University and clarified the roles of existing monitoring committees to ensure effective coordination among government departments.