Jodhpur: In a landmark judgment addressing the environmental crisis caused by contamination of rivers in Jodhpur, Pali and Balotra, the Supreme Court has directed the Rajasthan high court to establish special courts in these three districts to expedite the adjudication of cases related to environmental violations.The apex court also instructed the Rajasthan govt to provide all necessary logistical, infrastructural and administrative support for the effective functioning of these courts.A division bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued a series of interim directions aimed at curbing pollution, ensuring compliance with environmental norms and restoring river systems while hearing a suo motu writ petition titled ‘2 Million Lives at Risk, Contamination in Jojari River, Rajasthan’.The court held that persistent and recurring violations of environmental norms necessitate stringent legal action to uphold the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution, which includes access to clean water and a pollution-free environment.The court’s decision was based on the findings of the High-Level Ecosystem Oversight Committee (HLEOC), chaired by retired justice Sangeet Lodha, which was constituted to oversee the restoration of the Jojari River system. The committee’s status report revealed alarming levels of environmental degradation across the Jodhpur, Pali and Balotra regions. The report highlighted widespread contamination of rivers, groundwater and soil due to untreated industrial effluents and municipal sewage. It documented the destruction of agricultural land, pasture areas and public infrastructure, as well as severe health impacts on local communities and livestock.The committee’s inspections uncovered deliberate attempts to conceal environmental violations, including the use of soil to cover contaminated riverbeds and illegal discharge points. The report also noted systemic failures in regulatory enforcement, with several common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) operating below capacity while untreated effluents were discharged directly into river systems.The Supreme Court expressed grave concern over these findings, stating that the environmental crisis was a consequence of prolonged apathy, regulatory failures and systemic deficiencies. The judges criticised the Rajasthan govt and its instrumentalities, including RIICO, for their lack of timely and effective action. It emphasised that environmental degradation had transcended ecological boundaries and was directly impacting public health, livelihoods and essential infrastructure.Among key directions issued by the court were the immediate sealing of all discharge points of untreated effluents into river systems, the establishment of a multi-disciplinary expert assessment panel to evaluate their environmental and socio-economic impacts and the creation of a dedicated environmental restoration and compensation fund. The court also called for the restoration of the Jojari River’s natural pathway.The court further directed the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) to adopt a technology-driven system for accurate wastewater monitoring and to ensure strict compliance with zero liquid discharge principles. It also urged the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Project (HRRL) to utilise its CSR funds to develop wastewater treatment infrastructure in the region.The court held that these directions are not mere regulatory measures but are rooted in the constitutional mandate to protect the fundamental rights of citizens. The court has set July 21 as the next date for receiving a status report from HLEOC on the progress of compliance with its directives.
