Supreme Court Directs Rajasthan To Constitute Inter-Departmental Group & River Authority To Tackle EnvironmentalIssues
In the suo motu case taken up to address industrial pollution in Rajasthan's rivers, the Supreme Court recently directed constitution of an Integrated Coordination Group, which shall work in consultation with the High Level Ecosystem Oversight Committee and present a comprehensive action plan for tackling ecological concerns.
A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta passed the order, calling for a resolution plan for prevention of environmental degradation, pollution abatement, ecological restoration, conservation of riverine ecosystems, protection of groundwater resources, preservation of biodiversity and strengthening of the institutional framework governing river basin management.
"The Resolution Plan shall identify the action points, the authority responsible for implementation, the implementation framework, measurable milestones and definite timelines for completion of each component", the Court said.
As per the directions, the Integrated Coordination Group shall be headed by the Rajasthan Chief Secretary, who would be at liberty to include in the Group senior officers from the concerned State departments, including departments of environment, forest, revenue, water resources, the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, etc. The Chief Secretary shall ensure effective inter-departmental coordination and also periodically review implementation of the Resolution Plan.
Anyone having direct interest in the issues to be gone into by the Committee and the Group, such as the industrial units, may make representations to them which shall be decided on their own merit keeping in view the larger goals of sustainable development and environment protection. However the Group would not be required to give oral audience to such stakeholder(s).
The Resolution Plan shall be placed before the Court within 3 weeks of the constitution of the Group.
Apart from this, the Court has directed the State of Rajasthan to constitute a River Commission/River Rejuvenation Authority, which is independent and adequately empowered. This authority shall also be headed by the State Chief Secretary (for the time being) and oversee the conservation, rejuvenation and integrated management of rivers, river basins and catchment areas, including the scientific determination and demarcation of the High Flood Line, protection of riverine ecosystems and coordinated river basin governance throughout the State. The Chief Secretary would be at liberty to associate such officers or experts, as deemed necessary.
The Court has also called for intensification of efforts towards the pending criminal cases over environmental violations. It said that the investigation by the Special Investigation Team, constituted by the state pursuant to its order, should examine the role of all persons, including public servants, without fear or favor, and appropriate action should be taken. It may be noted that this SIT was formed to investigate all FIRs registered in connection with concealed conduit networks, discharge of untreated/inadequately treated industrial effluents, etc. in Jodhpur, Balotra and Pali.
It was further directed that the Committee expeditiously decide the pending representations of White Category industries, preferably within 7 days of the date of the order (Aug 7).
The Court also ordered that the state establish an Integrated Public Reporting and Environmental Grievance Redressal Mechanism to enable timely reporting of environmental violations and allied activities affecting the riverine ecosystem. This mechanism shall enable a person with any credible information regarding a violation to make a complaint alongwith photographs, videos, geo-tagged location, etc. The State must also consider the feasibility of a scheme to reward credible information.
In the order, the Court was also constrained to observed that no details had been given by the state on the action taken/proposed to be taken against errant officials of the RSPCB. It was directed that the same be placed before the Committee within 3 days. The Court further indicated that it would consider similar issues in connection with Jaipur and adjoining areas on the next date. After an adequate framework for the Jojari-Bandi-Luni river system is put in place, it will examine whether the framework, with appropriate modifications, can be extended to other river systems of the state suffering from similar issues.
Case: In Re: 2 Million Lives At Risk, Contamination In Jojari River, Rajasthan, Suo Motu Writ Petition (Civil) No. 8 of 2025