Expert panel needs more time to quantify AOL's damage to Yamuna riverbed

NGT said 'World Culture Festival' held in March completely destroyed the riverbed; took Rs 5 crore as compensation

An expert panel told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday, that the tentative cost of reversing the damage caused to the Yamuna riverbed due to the Art of Living (AOL) 'World Culture Festival' in March can only be determined after November as the area is still under flood water.

The committee had in an earlier hearing, said that the event had "completely destroyed" the Yamuna riverbed. Sri Sri Ravishankar's foundation called the finding unscientific and illogical and sought for a fresh panel to conduct the probe.

The green tribunal had on March 9 refused a plea to prohibit the 'World Culture Festival' from taking place, but instead constituted a committee, comprising of experts from various agencies such as the National Engineering Research Institute and IIT, Delhi to inspect the site of the event.

The NGT had also directed the foundation to deposit Rs 5 crore as environmental compensation to the Delhi Development Authority.

Following the order, AOL made a plea on March 11 requesting additional time to deposit the amount. The tribunal allowed the application subject to the foundation depositing Rs 25 lakh immediately, with the balance amount payable within four weeks. AOL eventually paid the balance after a considerable delay, on June 3.

On August 10, the tribunal had asked the seven-member panel headed by Water Resources Secretary Shashi Shekhar, to ascertain the additional amounts needed to restore the environment, ecology and biodiversity of the riverbed by engaging a specialised agency if required.

Friday's bench, headed by Justice Jawad Rahim has listed the matter for further consideration on October 7.