Supreme Court Imposes Construction Ban Near Jojari River in Rajasthan

#GS-3 #Environment #Pollution #Geography #Physical Geography #Rajasthan #Jojari River

Key takeaways

The Supreme Court placed a ban on development within 100 metres of the Jojari River in Rajasthan.
The Court banned hazardous industries within 500 metres of the river flow path to stop water pollution.
The Jojari River is the only major right-bank tributary of the Luni River that does not start in the Aravalli Range.
An Integrated Coordination Group (ICG) led by the Chief Secretary will oversee pollution cleanup for the Jojari, Bandi, and Luni rivers.

The Supreme Court has imposed a temporary ban on construction and development within 100 metres from the edge of the Jojari River in Rajasthan.
The Court also prohibited setup of any polluting or hazardous industry within a 500-metre buffer zone along the river flow line.

The Jojari River is a seasonal stream originating near Pandalu village in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan.
It flows across Jodhpur and merges into the Luni River near Khejarla Khurd.
It is the only major right-bank tributary of the Luni River that does not originate in the Aravalli Range.

The Pali industrial area is located right along the bank, leading the Court to recommend shifting these factories away from the river over time.
The Court ordered the Rajasthan Government to create an Integrated Coordination Group (ICG) under the Chief Secretary to clean up the Jojari, Bandi, and Luni rivers.
The Court had earlier instructed the state government to draft a 20-point plan to address river contamination.

The 100-metre and 500-metre limits provide interim protection while scientific studies establish the official flood line and ecological zone.
This ruling underlines the urgent need to balance industrial expansion with river ecosystem conservation.