The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the principal committee — constituted to look into the rejuvenation of Yamuna’s ecologically sensitive floodplains, after a three-day festival was organised there by the Art of Living foundation, earlier this year — to inspect the site and submit a final report within two weeks.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar on Wednesday also asked the foundation to file its reply within three days on an application, which had alleged that the spiritual guru had termed its earlier order as “politically motivated”.
No compensation yet
The bench asked Art of Living if it had deposited the environment compensation as directed by it on March 9 for damaging Yamuna’s biodiversity. The counsel for the foundation said that it was ready to furnish the amount as bank guarantee instead of “payment of balance amount”.
“Keep your bank guarantee with you,” the bench said, while posting the matter for next hearing on August 2.
Fragile ecosystem
On March 9, the green panel had given a go-ahead for the cultural extravaganza, but had imposed a fine of Rs. 5 crore on it as environmental compensation.
It had slapped a fine of Rs. 5 lakh on the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Rs. 1 lakh on the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for not discharging statutory functions.
The Tribunal’s order had come on the pleas by NGOs and environmentalists, who had sought cancellation of the festival on the ground that it would seriously endanger the fragile ecosystem on the riverbed.
Meanwhile, the principal committee was constituted by the Tribunal for implementation of 'Maili se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Project 2017' and is headed by Secretary of Ministry of Water Resources.
It also comprises three experts members: Professor C R Babu, Professor A K Gosain and Professor Brij Gopal.
