The National Green Tribunal (NGT)’s four-member expert committee recommended a fine of Rs120 crore on Art of living organisation that is hosting the World Culture Festival from March 11 to 13 on the banks of River Yamuna in East Delhi. A scientific panel appointed by the NGT has mentioned of large-scale damage to Yamuna floodplains due to the event.
Though the report does not ask for cancellation of the programme, it takes serious view of the over 3.5 million crowd expected and the harm it would cause to Yamuna’s fragile ecology.
The expert committee that visited the site reported that the floodplain between the river and DND flyover has been leveled flat while small water bodies that existed earlier have been filled up. Natural vegetation consisting of reeds, and trees has been completely removed, and the large number of birds and other natural life that was supported by the floodplain has vanished, the report said.
The committee comprised Shashi Shekhar, Secretary Water Resources Ministry, CR Babu of Union Environment Ministry, Prof AK Gosain from IIT-Delhi and Prof Brij Gopal from Jaipur.
“The committee is of a strong view that the Art of living Foundation should be responsible for funding the restoration plan as a penalty. The members in its rough estimation feels that the total cost of restoration of the floodplains on the western side of the river alone, as proposed by the principal committee, will now be of the order of Rs 100-120 crore,” said the committee as part of its recommendations to the tribunal.
The panel added that restoration should be completed within a year from the end of the festival. An NGT bench headed by chairperson justice Swatanter Kumar will start its daily hearing on the case from Tuesday.
On the other hand, the Art of living Foundation said it is taking all requisite measures to maintain the ecological balance of the Yamuna riverbank.
“Prior to beginning work on the site, we cleared nearly 20-25 acres of the area which was earlier covered with construction debris. The World Culture Festival venue is at a safe distance from the riverbank and we have set in place systems to ensure it remains clean after the event is over,” said the foundation spokesperson.
