New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday imposed an interim ban on all construction and development activity within 100 metres of Rajasthan’s Jojari river, stating that the buffer is essential to protect the fragile rive…

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday imposed an interim ban on all construction and development activity within 100 metres of Rajasthan’s Jojari river, stating that the buffer is essential to protect the fragile riverine ecosystem until a scientific demarcation of the high flood line and ecological zones is completed.The order was passed in a suo motu case concerning contamination of the Jojari river. Supreme Court to hear tomorrow journalist’s plea against FIR after Ayodhya temple donation theft reportThe apex court had earlier also flagged pollution in the Bandi and Luni rivers in the state.A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta referred to the serious extent of 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 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.It directed that no construction or development activity of any nature shall be permitted within 100 metres from the edge of the river. The bench noted that the high flood line is yet to be scientifically determined and demarcated.As an additional interim safeguard, the court ordered that no hazardous industry or activity with the potential to pollute or damage the riverine ecosystem shall be allowed within 500 metres of the identified flood line or the river’s current flow path.Supreme Court seeks response from Centre, Jharkhand & JPSC over plea for CBI probe into exam irregularitiesThe restrictions will remain in force until the scientific exercise to determine and demarcate the high flood line and ecological buffer zones is completed. The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 22.Earlier this month, the Supreme Court directed the Rajasthan government to constitute, within a week, an Integrated Coordination Group headed by the chief secretary to address contamination in the Jojari, Bandi and Luni rivers.

Source: Deccan Herald