The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday held the Art of Living responsible for damaging the Yamuna floodplains by holding the World Culture Festival in 2016. However, no additional penalty has been levied on the organisation.
A Bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar said, “We hold and declare that respondent 3 (Art of Living) is responsible for causing damage and environmental degradation of the flood plain of the river Yamuna and the area that was awarded to it by DDA and the State of Uttar Pradesh.”
DDA pulled up
The green panel further directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to carry out the restoration work of the floodplains.
“We are of the considered view that the DDA has failed to exercise its statutory duty in consonance with the environmental laws in force. We further direct the DDA, under the guidance of the expert committee to carry out restoration, restitution and other necessary works and also ensure the construction or establishment of a bio-diversity park at the site,” said the Bench while pronouncing the judgment.
Further, the Bench said, “We would have imposed environmental compensation upon DDA as well, but keeping in mind that is has already planned construction of bio-diversity park and improvement of floodplains from its funds, we do not impose any further compensation upon the DDA.”
Fine amount
The green panel held that the ₹5 crore deposited by Art of Living as fine shall be utilised by the DDA for the restoration work.
“In the event that the expenditure for that purpose, is found to be in excess of ₹5 crore, the DDA would be at liberty to recover the said amount and respondent number 3 (Art of Living) shall be liable to pay the said amount on demand,” read the judgment.
Chance to comply
The Bench also added that if the total expense incurred is less than ₹5 crore, the remaining amount will have to be refunded to the organisation.
The Tribunal said that it did not wish to impose any penalty upon the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar organisation and was providing them an opportunity to comply with the directions.
However, expressing “disappointment” over the NGT order, the Art of Living, in a statement said, “We do not agree with the verdict. Our submissions have not been dealt with or considered. We will appeal in the Supreme Court. We are confident that we will get justice before the Supreme Court.”
“The Art of Living has always abided by the guidelines and the directions of the honourable court and the authorities who extended permission to hold the festival,” the organisation added.
