The National Green Tribunal has held the Art of Living Foundation of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar responsible for the damage caused to the Yamuna floodplains due to holding of the World Cultural Festival organised by it in March 2016.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, however, yesterday refused to impose any further environment compensation on the AoL and said the amount of five crore rupees which was submitted by it earlier will be used for the restoration of the floodplains. However, in case if the expenditure of the restoration crosses the cost five crore rupees then it would be recovered from the AoL, it added.
The bench said, it held AoL responsible for the damage caused to the Yamuna floodplains in terms of the report submitted by the expert committee. The NGT also rapped the DDA for failing to exercise its duty to protect the Yamuna floodplains but refrained from imposing any penalty on it.
Meanwhile, the AoL has said it will move the Supreme Court against the verdict. Expressing disappointment over the the NGT verdict, the AoL claimed that it had complied with all environment norms and its submissions were not considered.