The alleged claim made by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of living in its affidavit to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in connection with holding three-day World Culture Festival 2016 on Yamuna floodpains that the flora and fauna and the Yamuna ecosystem would not be damaged appears to be far from reality.
The Pioneer visited the site on Thursday to take stock of the situation and found cemented bricks being largely used to erect flash lights and build a proper surface. AOl claimed that not a single tree has been cut in the run up to the festival being termed as one of the biggest cultural gatherings in the recent times to begin from March 11. However, more than half a dozen trees were found to be trimmed.
The use of plaster of paris, plastic, flex, stones, steel, bricks and other materials too were found on the site. Among other things, immense dust is polluting the venue.
“As the vehicles and public go past these routes, all we see is layers of dust coming on us. This is very harmful for us. Dust is one of the biggest factors involved in taking the pollution level higher. The massive digging of poles, tents and positioning of water pipelines have not only destroyed the soil, but also destroyed the flora and fauna,” said Pratap Sriwastava, a resident of Mayur Vihar Extension.
Even as the controversy rages over the issue, Sri Sri on Tuesday said his organisation will build a biodiversity park on the banks of Yamuna.
“We will build a biodiversity park there. We will develop that area and not harm it. Since 2010, our 5,000 volunteers had been working to keep the river (Yamuna) clean. Over the years, 510 tonnes of solid waste and pollutants have been removed by our volunteers from the river. We are environmentalists and we too want Yamuna ji cleaned,” said Sri Sri.