Didn't conduct any environment impact study, Art of Living tells NGT

Lawyer of the Art of Living Foundation said that they did not carry out a study because Environment Ministry did not ask for it

The Art of Living Foundation on Tuesday told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it did not conduct any environment impact study before deciding to hold the World Culture Festival on the ecologically-sensitive Yamuna flood plains here.

The tribunal will continue with the hearing on Wednesday as the ministry of water resources, Art of Living and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) have sought more time to explain their side of the case.

"We have got permissions from more than 30 departments and ministries for this event. Everyone has given us a go-ahead," said Art of Living's lawyer Akashama Nath.

"How could we carry out a study when the environment ministry did not ask for it?" she said on being asked about the study report by the NGT.

Talking to reporters after Tuesday's proceedings, Nath said she insisted that the environment ministry categorically stated the Art of Living foundation was not violating any law while organising the event.

The festival, to be organised by spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar-headed Art of Living Foundation, is scheduled to be held from March 11 to 13 on a site which considered to be part of the environmentally sensitive flood plains of the Yamuna river.