Brazen violations of environmental norms by AOL: NGT

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday found that the Art Of Living’s (AOL) festival violated the conditions of the permissions given by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to organise the World Culture Festival on the banks of the Yamuna. 

The green court has asked the Delhi government if it granted permission to build the bridge for the event. Responding to this, the Delhi government said that it is up to the Union Water Resources Ministry to grant the permission for the same. 

“You (MoEF) file an affidavit by Wednesday and tell us why no environmental clearance is needed for raising temporary structures on floodplains?” a Bench headed by NGT chairperson Swantanter Kumar said. DDA was also pulled up by the NGT, saying it couldn’t wash its hands off the controversy. The DDA, however, claimed that it wasn’t aware of any debris and dumping work by organisers of the event.

All official respondents in the case, Central government, the Delhi government, DDA, Environment Ministry, Water Resources Ministry and the UP government were asked by the court if they had considered the impact of the event on the environment, river, biodiversity and the pollution it could generate. 

“If somebody has to alter the floodplains, don’t you think it requires your clearance,” the NGT asked the Environment Ministry. 

Meanwhile, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar denied any disturbance to the environment because of the event. 

A visit to the site by Millennium Post revealed that there are brazen violations of environmental norms in case of use of stone dust for making the stage and other structures on the area that measures at least 1,000 acre on the river bed. From one end to another, massive erosion of soil is very much visible. The scale of the festival and the construction being made are clear violations of environmental norms and NGT’s directions. 

The materials used — plaster of paris, plastic, flex, stones, steel, bricks and other harmful materials reveal the sordid state of affairs as how the floodplain is being ruined in the garb of a cultural meet.

Moreover, rampant soil erosion has taken place at many areas due to digging of poles, tents and positioning of water pipelines. The event has not only eroded the soil but also destroyed the flora and fauna around. Lots of flowers and plants planted on the banks of the river have been damaged due to the event. 

The agricultural land has also gone for a toss with the area being cleaned up for parking purpose. Farmers, who are at the receiving end, have expressed regret over the activity and alleged that they have not received any compensation amount. One pontoon pool has been constructed by the AOL to facilitate movement of participants and the Indian Army is building two such pools to ease movement of a large number of people expected to attend the mega event.

East Delhi MP Maheish Girri, former International Director of AOL emphasised: “There will be cultural representative groups from various states and cultures of India to showcase their identities and they will perform songs, dances and plays. Each cultural group will be allocated a couple of minutes to showcase their culture. An oath will also be administered to the participants to conserve their culture to their upcoming generations through instilling within them the values of culture besides a ‘declaration’ on Yamuna conservation,” he added.