NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday banned all construction and development activity within 100 metres of the edge of Rajasthan's Jojari river as an interim measure to protect the river ecosystem.
A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the order in a suo motu case concerning contamination of the Jojari river. The court said the restriction would remain in force pending the scientific determination and demarcation of the high flood line and ecological buffer zones.
The Bench said it was necessary to put in place an interim, definite and measurable area of protection to safeguard the riverine ecosystem until the scientific exercise is completed.
The court also imposed an additional interim safeguard, barring hazardous industries or activities with the potential to cause pollution, contamination or damage to the river ecosystem within 500 metres on either side of the existing flood line, wherever identified, or the present flow path of the river until the scientific exercise is completed.
The Supreme Court had earlier flagged pollution in the Jojari, Bandi and Luni rivers.
During the hearing, the court noted that the newly constituted Integrated Coordination Group had substantial overlap in membership with the existing committee monitoring the matter.
Clarifying their roles, the Bench said the Integrated Coordination Group had been created as an internal arrangement for smooth coordination among government departments and would not affect the committee's authority.
The court said the committee chairperson could issue suitable directions whenever necessary.
"The earlier directions empowering committee to take necessary actions and pass requisite orders shall continue to operate in letter and spirit," the Court said.
The Bench also assigned the project to a National University, allowed the release of accumulated water at Balotra, and posted the matter for further hearing on September 22.