Eco norms flouted with impunity at AoL event

This reporter went around the entire location and what came out was a gory picture shrouded in the garb of a massive cultural festival. Use of solid materials especially stone dust and cemented bricks were seen on Thursday, a day before the programme is about to kick-start and tread towards making a record. AoL Foundation’s claims of not causing any ecological harm to the riverbed and curbing pollution levels have gone down the drain with massive dust in and around the venue. Moreover, after the nod from the Green Tribunal, usage of cemented bricks, pre-solid rock material, stone dust and pole digging is being seen at the venue.

The tall claims of the AoL, of not destroying bio-diversity of the river bank and pollution reduction due to visitors’ movement, also seems to have flown down river Yamuna as no measures were seen to have been taken to curb pollution especially with dust covering the venue. More than half a dozen trees have been trimmed by more than 70 per cent. When Millennium Post visited the site, not even five trees could be seen at a spot. However, Art of Living Foundation had claimed that not a single tree has been cut down in the run up to the World Culture Festival and that four trees have only been trimmed in the riverine area.

A look at the site shows that the cemented bricks are being largely used to erect flash lights and build a proper surface. The use of plaster of paris, plastic, flex, stones, steel, bricks and other materials harmful to the nature shows the sordid state of affair as how the floodplain is being ruined in the name of a cultural meet. 

Among other things, the carpet of dust that has been laid to draw temporary routes to the venue is adding to the chaos. 

“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 as well as to the nature. Dust is one of the biggest factors involved in taking the pollution level higher,” said Pratap Sriwastava, a resident of Mayur Vihar Extension.

From the very first day, visit of the site revealed that there is brazen violation of environmental norms with the use of stone dust in making the stage and other structures on an area measuring at least 1,000 acre. From one end to another, massive soil erosion is visible.