Saturday, March 12, 2016

Art of Living fined by NGT

The NGT (National Green Tribunal) in-spite of appreciating Sri Sri's Art of Living Mission for hosting of the World Culture Festival on the flood plains of the river Yamuna fined the Foundation for ‘initial’ Environmental Compensation of Rs. 5 crores. This fine is imposed on the Art of Living Foundation as the NGT feels that the Foundation is liable to pay for the damage caused to the environment, ecology, biodiversity and aquatic life of the river.

The order of NGT is as below:
For the damage caused to the environment, ecology, biodiversity and aquatic life of the river, the Foundation should be held liable for its restoration in all respects. In that regard and in exercise of our powers under Sections 15 and 17 of the NGT Act, 2010 we impose an Environmental Compensation, initially of Rs. 5 crores. This amount would be paid by the Foundation prior to the commencement of the event. This amount would be adjusted towards the final compensation determined to be paid by the Foundation for restoration work. We hereby direct the Principal Committee constituted under the judgment, to submit a report within four weeks from today, in relation to the steps required to be taken for restoration, restitution and rejuvenation of the flood plains to its original status. It will also state the approximate cost that would have to be incurred for such restoration and restitution. We further direct that the entire area in question shall be developed as a biodiversity park in terms of our judgment in the case of Manoj Mishra (supra). The cost thereof shall be paid by the Foundation and DDA in the proportion as would be directed by the Tribunal finally. For the reason of delay and laches on the part of the applicant in approaching the Tribunal and for the reason of fait accompli capable of restoration and restitution, we are unable to grant the prayer of prohibitory order and a mandatory direction for removal of construction and restoration of the area in question to the applicant at this stage.

The foundation has so far already spent a total of Rs.25.63 crores on the event.

The Tribunal also imposed a fine of Rs. 5 lakhs on the DDA (Delhi Development Authority) and Rs. 1 lakh on the DPCC (Delhi Pollution Control Committee) which it described as incompetent for not discharging their statutory functions.

Thereafter, the Tribunal constituted a committee of representatives of Delhi Pollution Control Committee, the Union Environment Ministry and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which should immediately inspect the site and issue directions Thursday in relation to the source of water, and collection and disposal of solid waste and sewerage.





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