Breaking; Art of Living Foundation gets NGT Nod for World Cultural Festival at the banks of Yamuna; Imposes 5 Cr Compensation [Read Order]

The National Green Tribunal Today allowed Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living Foundation to conduct ‘World Cultural Festival’ at the banks of Yamuna River. The tribunal imposed a Rs 5 crore as compensation to be paid by the foundation before the event. The Tribunal has also imposed Rs. 5 Lakh Cost on Delhi Development Authority.

The Tribunal said that Foundation shall develop the entire area into biodiversity and shall file an undertaking to that effect.

NGT further held that the Delhi Pollution Control Committee has failed to discharge its obligation and imposed a cost of Rs 1 lakh on it.

NGT directed the Foundation to give undertaking by Tomorrow that enzymes won't be released into Yamuna and no further degradation of environment will happen.

“For the damage caused to the environment, ecology, biodiversity and aquatic life of the river, the Foundation should be held liable for its restoration in all respects. In that regard and in exercise of our powers under Sections 15 and 17 of the NGT Act, 2010 we impose an Environmental Compensation, initially of Rs. 5 crores. This amount would be paid by the Foundation prior to the commencement of the event. This amount would be adjusted towards the final compensation determined to be paid by the Foundation for restoration work. We hereby direct the Principal Committee constituted under the judgment, to submit a report within four weeks from today, in relation to the steps required to be taken for restoration, restitution and rejuvenation of the flood plains to its original status. It will also state the approximate cost that would have to be incurred for such restoration and restitution. We further direct that the entire area in question shall be developed as a biodiversity park” said the Order

Read the order here