NGT Verdict on the ‘Art of Living’ Case

What is the issue?

• Sri Sri Ravishankar’s Art of Living Foundation (AoL) organised a 3 day World Culture Festival (WCF) in March 2016.
• The event is said to have caused severe environmental & ecological damaged to the Yamuna floodplains.
• National Green Tribunal (NGT) has now given its final verdict on the matter and has upheld the guilt of AoL.

How did the issue evolve?

• AoL was initially granted permission for organising the event WCF event on the banks of river Yamuna.
• The permission was on the condition that AoL would be held responsible for restoration of the allocated space after the event.
• The event had caused “serious pollution on the floodplain of the river” as nearly 35 lakh people had gathered.
• A case was initiated in the NGT with stress on the ‘Polluters Pay Principle’.

What were the expert committee findings?

• Initially, the NGT had levied Rs 5 crores as damage compensation.
• Subsequently, NGT-appointed expert committee noted that the damages would cost over Rs 42.02 crores.
• It was also estimated that restoration could take up to 10 years.
• The expert committee had found that about 420 acres of floodplains of the Yamuna had suffered adverse ecological impact.
• Further, “changes in topography, habitat, and loss of wetlands, vegetation and biodiversity” have been observed. 
• Also, degradation in the nature of soil, toxic substances and substrata degradation have been established.

What were major legal pronouncements?

• AoL argument that lack of notified wetlands around Yamuna, was rejected as not being notified doesn’t mean absence of wetlands. 
• Notably, in large parts of the country the wetlands as of now have neither been identified nor notified in accordance with law.
• The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has also been pulled-up as it had failed to oversee compliance with the environmental laws.
• But despite this comprehensive estimate of damages, NGT has resisted from enhancing the fine amount from the earlier 5 crores.
• While, the tribunal has ruled for proceeding with the restoration work, AoL has stressed that it intends to go on appeal to the SC.

Source: The Indian Express