Supreme Court Intervenes to Address Severe Pollution in Rajasthan Rivers

Apex Court Constitutes High-Level Committee to Oversee Comprehensive River Restoration Efforts

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India has taken decisive action to address the severe pollution affecting the Jojari, Bandi, and Luni rivers in Rajasthan, which has put at risk the lives of nearly two million residents. The Court, led by Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, was compelled to act following its suo moto cognizance of a documentary highlighting the environmental crisis. The documentary, titled "2 Million Lives at Risk," exposed the dire state of the river systems due to unchecked industrial effluents and municipal sewage.

The Court's judgment underscores the grave constitutional implications of environmental degradation, linking it directly to the violation of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life, including a pollution-free environment. The judgment highlights the systemic failure of regulatory bodies over nearly two decades and the urgent need for judicial intervention to restore environmental integrity.

To this end, the Supreme Court has ordered the formation of a High-Level Ecosystem Oversight Committee. Chaired by Hon'ble Mr. Justice Sangeet Lodha, a retired Judge of the High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan, the committee is tasked with supervising the implementation of comprehensive remedial measures. It will also ensure compliance with the directives of the National Green Tribunal, which had previously issued orders for pollution control.

The committee is entrusted with preparing a scientifically grounded, time-bound River Restoration and Rejuvenation Blueprint and overseeing its execution. This will involve identifying pollution sources, implementing technological solutions like SCADA meters for real-time monitoring, and ensuring strict enforcement of environmental norms.

The judgment also modifies an existing interim stay on the National Green Tribunal's order, allowing for immediate implementation of its remedial directions, though the stay continues regarding certain remarks and compensation imposed on RIICO and other authorities.

This intervention by the Supreme Court is a significant step towards ensuring environmental justice and safeguarding the fundamental rights of the affected communities in Rajasthan. The Court has emphasized that environmental protection is not merely an administrative responsibility but a constitutional imperative.

Statutory provision(s): Article 21 of the Constitution of India, National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

In Re: 2 Million Lives At Risk, Contamination In Jojari River, Rajasthan, (SC) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2811705