Environment ministry fails to file affidavit at NGT in the Art of Living case

The water resources ministry had denied receiving any application for permission from the environment ministry

The environment ministry on Wednesday failed to present an affidavit to the National Green Tribunal to show why the cultural programme being held by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Life Foundation (AOLF) on the flood plains of the Yamuna did not require environmental clearance.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar had on Tuesday questioned governments at the Centre, Delhi and UP about various clearances for the World Culture Festival to be held between March 11-13 on the banks of the Yamuna.

While the environment ministry had said no clearance was necessary for temporary structures being erected, the water resources ministry had denied receiving any application for permission.

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NGT on Wednesday questioned how the structures could be termed temporary when no assessment had been made by the environment ministry.

The defendant for AOL said Delhi Pollution Control Committee had said there was no requirement for permissions from it, owing to its cultural nature.

Ngt had earlier said that the expert committee's report pointed out damage on 60 acres of land on the banks of Yamuna.

The case is still being heard for the da