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NGT Takes Suo Motu Action on Rajasthan's Khara Village Air Pollution Crisis

The National Green Tribunal's Central Zone Bench has taken suo motu cognizance of severe air pollution in Khara village, Bikaner district, following reports that hazardous air quality is forcing villagers to keep children home from school. The Tribunal has issued notices to the State of Rajasthan and the Rajasthan Pollution Control Board, demanding responses and details of measures taken. A Joint Committee has been ordered to visit the village, assess the situation, and submit a report within six weeks. The case, highlighting critical public health concerns, is listed for its next hearing on April 15, 2026.

Key Points: NGT Acts on Severe Air Pollution in Rajasthan's Bikaner Village

  • NGT takes suo motu notice
  • Villagers keep kids home due to pollution
  • Joint committee formed for assessment
  • Report due in six weeks
  • Next hearing set for April 2026
2 min read

Rajasthan: NGT takes suo motu cognisance of air pollution in Khara, Bikaner

NGT takes suo motu notice of hazardous air in Khara, Bikaner, forms committee after villagers keep kids home from school. Next hearing in 2026.

"villagers were keeping children away from school due to hazardous air quality - Tribunal Report"

Jaipur, Feb 13

The National Green Tribunal, Central Zone Bench in Bhopal, has taken suo motu cognisance of severe air pollution in Khara village, Bikaner district, Rajasthan, after reports that villagers were keeping children away from school due to hazardous air quality.

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The order was issued by Justice Sheo Kumar Singh (Judicial Member) and Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi (Expert Member), highlighting serious environmental and public health concerns in the region.

In its directive, the Tribunal issued notices to the State of Rajasthan, the Rajasthan Pollution Control Board (RPCB), the District Education Officer, and the Principal Secretary (Environment). The authorities have been asked to respond to the allegations and provide details of measures taken to address the pollution.

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The NGT has also ordered the formation of a Joint Committee with representatives from the District Magistrate, Bikaner, and the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board.

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The committee has been directed to visit Khara village, assess the pollution situation, and submit a comprehensive action-taken report within six weeks. They were instructed that all respondents must file their replies in searchable PDF format within the stipulated six-week period, ensuring transparency and accessibility of records.

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The matter has been listed for the next hearing on April 15, 2026, when the Tribunal will review the committee's findings and the responses submitted by the concerned authorities. The case underscores growing concerns about environmental degradation and its direct impact on public health, especially children's health.

The Tribunal's intervention is expected to push state authorities to take urgent measures to improve air quality and safeguard the residents of Khara village, officials said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As a mother, this breaks my heart. Keeping kids home from school because the air is poison? What kind of future are we building? The committee must identify the source—is it industrial, dust, or something else? Immediate relief for the villagers is needed. 🙏
A
Aman W
Good step by NGT. But why does it always take a court order for our authorities to do their basic duty? The Pollution Control Board exists for this reason. Suo motu means the problem was visible to all but ignored. Accountability is key.
S
Sarah B
The directive for searchable PDFs and transparency is a small but important detail. Often reports are buried in paperwork. Hope the action is swift and not just another report that gathers dust. The health of those children is non-negotiable.
K
Karthik V
Bikaner area has many mining and industrial activities. This is likely the fallout. Development shouldn't cost us our health. The joint committee must involve local villagers in their assessment—they know the ground reality best.
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Nisha Z
Six weeks for a report and then hearing in 2026? The situation is severe *now*. What about immediate measures like providing masks or air purifiers for the school? Authorities need to act on two tracks—emergency relief and long-term solution.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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