Supreme Court Intervenes in Jojari River Crisis: A Lifeline Turned Toxic

In a powerful display of judicial vigilance, the Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognisance of the dire, "alarming situation" of the Jojari River in Rajasthan. What was once a vital water body has been tragically transformed into a 'cesspool' of untreated industrial waste, prompting the highest court to step in and demand immediate accountability and action.

The plight of the Jojari River, an ephemeral tributary of the Luni River, has been brought to the fore by a compelling letter from an advocate, highlighting the catastrophic environmental degradation caused by relentless industrial discharge.

Chemical, printing, and textile effluents from units in the Jodhpur and Pali districts have systematically poisoned the river, painting a grim picture of ecological neglect.

The consequences are devastating. Beyond the visible pollution, the untreated waste has seeped into the ground, critically contaminating the groundwater table – the primary source of drinking water for thousands of residents.

This pervasive contamination poses severe health risks, affecting local communities with a range of ailments and rendering vast swathes of agricultural land infertile, thus jeopardizing livelihoods and food security.

This is not a new crisis. The Jojari River's pollution has been a long-standing environmental battle.

The Supreme Court itself has been monitoring the discharge of industrial waste into rivers nationwide since 2017, under the pivotal 'Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti v. Union of India' case. Furthermore, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had previously issued directives concerning the Jojari’s restoration, yet the pollution has continued unabated, underscoring a disheartening lack of compliance and enforcement.

Taking a serious view of the persistent failure to address the issue, a bench comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah initiated these suo motu proceedings.

They have issued stern notices to the State of Rajasthan, the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB), and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), demanding comprehensive reports on the current status of the river and the concrete measures being taken to remediate the ecological damage and prevent further contamination.

This direct intervention by the Supreme Court signifies a critical turning point.

It sends an unequivocal message that environmental neglect will not be tolerated and that polluters, along with regulatory bodies, will be held to account. The hope now is that this powerful judicial push will finally lead to the long-overdue restoration of the Jojari River, ensuring a healthier environment and a more sustainable future for the communities dependent on its waters.

The nation watches as the court seeks to revive a river suffocating under the weight of industrial apathy.