NGT asks government why Art of Living’s world cultural festival does not require green clearance

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has asked the Union environment ministry to explain why the three-day cultural event being organised by Art of Living foundation (AoL) on the flood plains of Yamuna does not require an environmental clearance. It also questioned construction of a pontoon bridge by the Army and questioned the Delhi Development Authority for giving permission for the event.

“You ( MoEF) file an affidavit by tomorrow (Wednesday) and tell us why no environmental clearance is needed for raising temporary structures on flood plains,” a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Swantanter Kumar said. This direction by the NGT came after the counsel for Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF& CC) told the tribunal that, as per Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, no environment clearance is needed for temporary structures.

The bench also asked the DDA as to how the pontoon bridge, in which trucks and buses are expected to ply, will work without a ramp and concretisation on a flood plain. Replying to this, AoL counsel told the tribunal: “No buses, trucks or cars will ply on the pontoon bridge and only people on foot will use it.”

Art of Living foundation, on its part, said that it has no instructions about the study of environment impact assessment but it has satisfied the DDA for permission by fulfilling the condition that no permanent structures will be constructed on flood plains.

“We have experience of holding such events in the past and have taken all necessary steps to ensure the safety of people and environment,” counsel appearing for AoL said.

Delhi government, on its part, did not oppose the event. It informed the tribunal that it had no role in granting permission for the event.