Amid the controversy on the use of Yamuna floodplain for the three-day World Culture Event starting on Friday - Ashwani Kumar, the top official of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), who is also Principal Secretary, Environment and Forest Department of the Delhi Government - said on Thursday that the function organised by the Art of living (AOl) will not harm the ecologically fragile Yamuna riverbed as the constructed feature will not alter the topography which hit river flow.
When asked about clearance for such type of an event, he said no specific orders were required from the DPCC by the AOl.
Kumar said one should give emphasis on how to use floodplain so that illegal constrictions do not take place. "Yamuna floodplain is an integral part of Delhi and this can be changed in natural forest by planting trees. With this kind of alteration, the floodplain area can be utilised and issues of illegal construction, encroachment and farming in this area can be sorted out," he said.
On Thursday, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Ministry of Environment and Forests to issue proper directions to the organisers of the event with regard to disposal of municipal solid waste and drinking water.
Also, Kumar clarified that if the disposal of solid waste was carried out timely, it will not affect the fragile land of flood plains. "The NGT has given the direction in its order on the disposal of solid waste generated during the event, now, it is the primarily the duty of the Government institutions and event organisers to dispose the waste," he said.
Yamuna floodplain area needs a structured development which can give space to people of Delhi for spiritual, nature walk and physical exercises, he added.