New Delhi: The mass festival on the banks of the river Yamuna by the world-famous guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar this weekend has been opposed by Green Tribunal. A group of experts tasked with assessing the site has asked Sri Sri’s Art of Living foundation to pay at least Rs. 100 crore for damaging the flood plains.
India’s top environmental court on Wednesday will decide whether the mass festival on the banks of the river Yamuna will be allowed this weekend.
Over 1,000 acres on the Yamuna banks have been converted into a makeshift village for Art of Living’s three-day World Cultural Festival that will feature yoga and meditation sessions, peace prayers and cultural performances.
Professor CR Babu, appointed by the National Green Tribunal to review the site, told NDTV that extensive damage has been done to the flood plains.”100-120 crores will be required to undo the damage and Art of Living must pay that money as penalty,” he said.
Professor Babu said, “The major damage is the leveling of the flood plain, some of the wetlands and vegetation have been lost,” he explained, adding that the organisers should not have selected the site and the government should not have allowed it.
Despite high levels of pollution, the Yamuna flood plains are rich in flora and fauna with more than 320 bird species and 200 types of plants, say experts.
A seven-acre stage has been set up for over 35,000 artistes and visitors from 150 countries.
The Green Tribunal, asked the Environment Ministry: “If somebody has to alter the flood plains, don’t you think it requires your clearance? To protect the river is your prime responsibility, what steps did you take to prevent damage?”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to open the festival on Friday. His elite security has assessed that the site is not safe for him. The Special Protection Group or SPG that is responsible for the PM’s security feels that the area is too large and open doesn’t suit controlled access.
President Pranab Mukherjee, who had earlier agreed to attend the opening along with the Prime Minister, has said he will not be present.
Art of Living claims that it has more than 20 approvals for the event. “We will create a biodiversity park here. I have not let anyone cut even one tree,” said Sri Sri Ravishankar to reporters on Tuesday.
