Daily
250 words
7/10
Rating

8 August 2026

Supreme Court directive on Rajasthan river restoration

The Supreme Court's directive on river restoration and the creation of institutional mechanisms like the Integrated Coordination Group and River Commission represent a significant judicial intervention in environmental governance and federal administrative accountability.

1 min read 2 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • Supreme Court (SC) directed the Rajasthan government to establish an 'Integrated Coordination Group' headed by the Chief Secretary within seven days.
  • The group is tasked with restoring the Jojari, Bandi, and Luni river systems, which are suffering from severe degradation and illegal industrial effluent discharge.
  • A state-level 'River Commission' must be constituted to oversee river conservation, replacing defunct bodies like the Rajasthan River Basin and Water Resources Planning Authority.
  • The Coordination Group must prepare a time-bound resolution plan within three weeks, incorporating responsibilities and targets.
  • The SC mandated the use of modern technology, including satellite mapping and AI-based surveillance, for environmental monitoring and enforcement.
  • The directives follow suo motu proceedings initiated in September 2025 regarding pollution in Jodhpur, Pali, and Balotra districts.
  • A high-level committee led by former Rajasthan High Court judge Justice Sangeet Lodha was previously appointed to draft a restoration plan.

Questions

  1. Discuss the role of the judiciary in addressing environmental degradation through suo motu interventions. How do such directives facilitate institutional accountability in the management of river ecosystems? 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. The degradation of riverine ecosystems in India is often attributed to the failure of state-level planning authorities. In light of recent judicial interventions, analyze the need for integrated governance and the integration of advanced technology in ensuring effective water resource management and pollution control. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Which rivers were specifically identified by the Supreme Court for restoration in the state of Rajasthan?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-08-08/supreme-court-directive-on-rajasthan-river-restoration