The Supreme Court of India, in In Re: 2 Million Lives at Risk, Contamination in Jojari River, Rajasthan, has issued significant directions concerning industrial pollution, contamination of water bodies, ecological restoration, wildlife habitat protection, and regulatory enforcement in Rajasthan.
The order was passed in Suo Moto Writ Petition (Civil) No. 8 of 2025, along with connected civil appeals, after the Court considered the Second Status Report of the High-Level Ecosystem Oversight Committee and its comments on the First Status Report submitted by the Special Investigation Team.
The matter has been listed for further consideration on 4 August 2026.
Background of the Matter
The Supreme Court was considering issues relating to the alleged contamination of the Jojari River in Rajasthan and the larger ecological impact caused by untreated industrial effluents.
Pursuant to earlier orders dated 18 March 2026 and 29 May 2026, the High-Level Ecosystem Oversight Committee submitted its Second Status Report before the Court. The Committee also submitted comments on the First Status Report filed by the Special Investigation Team constituted under the Court’s earlier directions.
During the hearing, the Court also handed over to the learned Additional Solicitor General appearing for the State of Rajasthan copies of newspaper reports highlighting serious environmental concerns across different regions of the State.
Environmental Concerns Noted by the Court
The Supreme Court observed that the newspaper reports prima facie disclosed environmental issues of a magnitude that could not be ignored.
The reports referred to the following concerns:
| Issue | Allegation / Concern |
|---|---|
| Pink pond water near Jojari River | A pond near the Jojari River at Tanawada had allegedly turned pink and became unfit for human and livestock consumption. |
| Sanganer-Dravyavati-Nevta pollution | Around 2,500 industrial units were allegedly operating, while only 143 had requisite environmental clearances. |
| Untreated industrial discharge | Untreated effluents were allegedly being discharged into water bodies, threatening agriculture, groundwater and public health. |
| Morel Dam contamination | Industrial effluents from the Sanganer-Sitapura belt had allegedly travelled nearly 56 km to the Morel Dam. |
| Wildlife and public health risk | Contamination was alleged to be damaging agricultural lands, affecting villages, wildlife and the environment. |
The Court observed that these allegations, if found genuine, indicated possible contamination of water bodies across different regions of Rajasthan, discharge of untreated industrial effluents into rivers and reservoirs, adverse consequences for groundwater, agriculture, wildlife and public health, and a prima facie failure of regulatory and administrative authorities.
Submissions Regarding White Category Industries
Certain applicants submitted before the Court that they were operating White Category Industries with zero discharge and that, despite the non-polluting nature of their activities, their industrial premises had also been sealed pursuant to directions issued by the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board.
They argued that:
- They were not discharging industrial effluents.
- Their cases required separate consideration.
- The closure of their premises had affected the livelihood of hundreds of workers.
The Court accepted that such claims required scrutiny and granted liberty to such units to approach the Committee.
Committee’s Findings on Wildlife Habitat
The High-Level Ecosystem Oversight Committee reported that during visits to areas surrounding Melba, Dhawa, Jhanwar and villages in Luni Tehsil, it found that Dhawa and Doli were important wildlife habitats.
The Committee recorded that these areas support wildlife populations including:
- Chinkara
- Blackbuck
- Foxes
- Blue Bulls / Nilgai
- Other wildlife species
Local residents informed the Committee that the wildlife population had significantly declined due to contamination caused by effluent-laden water flowing through the Jojari River.
The Committee also placed before the Court three communications dated 7 July 2026 issued from the Office of the Deputy Forest Conservator (Wildlife), Jodhpur, seeking transfer and protection of identified lands for ecological restoration and wildlife conservation.
Lands Recommended for Transfer to Forest Department
The Committee recommended that certain lands be transferred to the Forest Department for development and maintenance as a forest / grassland ecosystem.
| Location | Khasra Numbers | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Village Modathali, Patwar Halka Dhawa-II, Tehsil Jhanwar, District Jodhpur | 34 and 76/19 | Protection, conservation and better management of wildlife |
| Village Melba, Patwar Halka Dhawa-I, Tehsil Jhanwar, District Jodhpur | 12, 44 and 495 | Safe existence of wildlife and ecological restoration |
| Village Modathali, Patwar Halka Dhawa-II, Tehsil Jhanwar, District Jodhpur | 34, 36 and 76/19 | Development and protection of pastureland, approximately 25 hectares out of 35.1834 hectares |
The Court directed the State of Rajasthan and concerned authorities to take expeditious steps for necessary notifications and consequential orders for transferring these lands to the Forest Department.
High Flood Line, Buffer Zones and River Protection
The Committee also highlighted serious concerns regarding the absence of proper identification and demarcation of the High Flood Line and corresponding buffer zones along river systems.
According to the Committee, this absence had resulted in:
- Encroachments in riverbeds and floodplains.
- Industrial development in environmentally sensitive areas.
- Other activities within riverine ecosystems.
- Lack of uniform scientific determination of protective zones.
The Committee expressed particular concern regarding the proposed RIICO Industrial Area at Kakani, noting that substantial portions allegedly fall within the High Flood Area of the Luni River and that the proposed textile zone is close to the riverine area without proper buffer zone adherence.
Similar concerns were recorded regarding Ambey Valley Industrial Park, where the Committee noticed prima facie irregularities relating to change of land use, development of an industrial park near the river, and apparent deviations from the Master Plan and statutory requirements.
Need for Dedicated River Basin Regulatory Mechanism
The Committee also pointed to the absence of a dedicated and empowered regulatory framework for integrated management of river basins, floodplains and allied ecosystems.
It recommended that the statutory framework governing the Rajasthan River Basin and Water Resources Planning Authority be revisited so that the Authority can function as an effective and autonomous regulatory body for:
- Integrated river basin management.
- Environmental protection.
- Inter-departmental coordination.
- River, floodplain and ecosystem preservation.
The Court directed the State of Rajasthan to respond comprehensively to the Committee’s findings and recommendations.
CETP Sangariya: Accumulated Wastewater and Court’s Concern
The Committee brought to the Court’s attention developments concerning the Common Effluent Treatment Plant, Sangariya.
Earlier, the State of Rajasthan had undertaken before the Court that no industrial operation connected with the concerned CETP or its member industries would be permitted to resume without complete verification, technical satisfaction and express approval of competent authorities.
The Court had also directed that no industrial unit closed pursuant to action by the State or the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board would recommence operations without the prior leave and express permission of the Supreme Court.
Despite this, communications were exchanged regarding the accumulation of tertiary and untreated wastewater at the CETP and its disposal. The Committee expressed apprehension that treatment of accumulated wastewater may require operation of the CETP, which could not be permitted without Court approval.
The Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board later clarified that its communication dated 3 July 2026 should not be treated as permission to operate the CETP or any member unit without prior permission of the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court’s Key Directions
The Supreme Court issued several immediate directions in the matter.
1. White Category Industries May Approach Committee
Any person, entity or industrial unit claiming to operate a White Category Industry may submit a detailed representation before the Committee.
Upon receipt of such representation, the Committee shall:
- Conduct physical inspection of the industrial premises.
- Verify the nature of industrial activity.
- Determine whether the unit is discharging industrial effluent.
- Assess whether the unit is contributing to environmental pollution.
If the Committee is satisfied that the unit is not polluting and its closure is not warranted, it may pass appropriate orders for de-sealing and permit recommencement of industrial operations, subject to suitable conditions.
2. Transfer of Identified Lands to Forest Department
The State of Rajasthan and all concerned authorities must take expeditious steps to issue necessary notifications and consequential orders for transferring the lands mentioned in the communications dated 7 July 2026 issued by the Deputy Forest Conservator (Wildlife), Jodhpur.
The purpose of transfer is to facilitate development and preservation of the lands as forest / grassland ecosystems.
3. Treatment and Safe Disposal of CETP Sangariya Wastewater
The Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board must immediately take necessary steps for the treatment and safe disposal of accumulated tertiary and untreated effluent-laden water lying at CETP Sangariya.
The Court directed that:
- Treatment and disposal must comply with applicable environmental norms.
- A proper technical action plan must be prepared.
- No industrial operation of the CETP or member industries may recommence without prior leave and express permission of the Supreme Court.
- Treatment and disposal must be completed before the next date of hearing, as far as possible.
- The process must be carried out under direct supervision of the Committee.
- Scientific testing must be conducted before and after treatment to confirm removal of toxic constituents.
- The permission for treatment and disposal must not be used as a subterfuge to resume stopped industrial activities.
4. State to File Affidavit on Newspaper Reports
The State of Rajasthan must file a comprehensive affidavit dealing specifically with the serious issues emerging from the newspaper reports handed over during the proceedings.
The affidavit must disclose:
- Verified factual position.
- Role of concerned authorities.
- Action already taken.
- Responsibility fixed, if any.
- Short-term measures proposed.
- Long-term measures proposed.
- Steps to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
5. State to Respond to Committee’s Report and SIT Comments
The State of Rajasthan must also file a comprehensive affidavit responding to:
- Each circumstance highlighted by the Committee in its Second Status Report.
- Each recommendation made by the Committee.
- The Committee’s comments on the First Status Report submitted by the Special Investigation Team.
6. State to Explain Failure to Invoke Graver Offences
The Court observed that illegal discharge of untreated effluents damages water bodies and government lands, causes loss of livelihoods and habitats, and has wide-ranging consequences for human safety.
The Supreme Court directed the State Government to explain its failure in not invoking graver offences in prosecutions, particularly under:
| Law | Provisions Mentioned |
|---|---|
| Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 | Sections 272, 326(a), 326(c) |
| Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 | Relevant punishable offences |
The Court further observed that, on the facts available on record, the alleged acts were undoubtedly covered by the above offences. It directed the State Government to immediately initiate the process for invoking these offences in all pending as well as proposed prosecutions.
7. Chief Secretary Personally Responsible
The Supreme Court directed that the Chief Secretary, State of Rajasthan, shall be personally responsible for ensuring due, timely and effective compliance with all directions issued in the present order as well as previous orders.
8. Chief Secretary to Appear Virtually
The Chief Secretary, State of Rajasthan, has been directed to remain present before the Supreme Court through virtual mode on the next date of hearing.
Legal Significance of the Order
This order is important because it reflects the Supreme Court’s continuing scrutiny over industrial pollution and environmental governance in Rajasthan.
The Court has not treated the Jojari River issue as an isolated pollution dispute. Instead, it has taken note of broader allegations involving river systems, reservoirs, groundwater, agricultural land, wildlife habitats and public health.
The directions also show an emphasis on:
- Scientific verification before permitting industrial activity.
- Accountability of regulatory authorities.
- Protection of riverbeds and floodplains.
- Ecological restoration through forest / grassland development.
- Strict control over CETP operations.
- Use of graver penal provisions in environmental prosecutions.
- Personal responsibility of senior administrative officers.
The order also balances environmental concerns with claims of non-polluting industries by allowing White Category Industries to seek inspection and de-sealing if they are genuinely not contributing to pollution.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s order dated 21 July 2026 in the Jojari River contamination matter marks another strong intervention in addressing industrial pollution and environmental degradation in Rajasthan.
By directing immediate action on CETP wastewater, land transfer for wildlife protection, detailed affidavits from the State, possible invocation of graver penal offences, and personal responsibility of the Chief Secretary, the Court has made it clear that environmental governance failures require urgent and accountable responses.
The matter will now be taken up on 4 August 2026, when the Court is expected to consider the State’s compliance and further responses.
Case Details
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Case Title | In Re: 2 Million Lives at Risk, Contamination in Jojari River, Rajasthan |
| Court | Supreme Court of India |
| Jurisdiction | Inherent / Civil Appellate Jurisdiction |
| Case Number | Suo Moto Writ Petition (Civil) No. 8 of 2025 with connected Civil Appeals |
| Date of Order | 21 July 2026 |
| Bench | Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta |
| Next Date | 4 August 2026 |
| State Concerned | Rajasthan |
| Key Issues | Jojari River pollution, industrial effluents, CETP Sangariya, wildlife habitat, river |
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