India, Aug. 24 -- The Supreme Court on Monday banned construction or development activity within 100 metres of the Jojari river edge. It also directed the Rajasthan government to ensure protection of the riverine system and prohibit any hazardous industry from being set up within 500 metres of the river.

The direction was issued in a suo motu petition regarding pollution of the Jojari river, which risked the lives of two million residents in the state. The court earlier this month directed the Rajasthan government to constitute an Integrated Coordinated Group (ICG) headed by the chief secretary and a River Rejuvenation Commission to oversee conservation of rivers and river basins in the state, identify all encroachments, and demarcate th...