Spread over 25 acres of the Yamuna flood plain in Delhi is the setting for the World Culture Festival in March. Organised by the Art of Living Foundation, the festival will host 35,000 artistes, 35 lakh visitors and boasts a mega stage right at the centre.
However, trouble looms over the grand event over charges of violating environmental norms with activists approaching the National Green Tribunal. The environmentalists have warned that the construction activity could destroy the flood plains of Yamuna and it could take decades to restore it.
"They have cleared the entire flood plains. Prior to the construction, it was all wonderful marshy area with grasslands, birds, reptiles and lot of biodiversity was present there. It has all been destroyed today. The attack at the very vital of the river," NGT petitioner Manoj Misra said.
Though The Art of Living Foundation has claimed they have received all clearances and have taken steps to ensure there's no damage to the flood plains.
"These are just allegations as you said and this is a temporary structure. It will all be removed. We are very high on environment and one of the reasons we are doing this here is to create awareness about cleanliness of Yamuna," Sri Sri Ravishankar said.
The Art of Living Foundation under Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has claimed that it has worked towards restoration of dying rivers in the country including the participation of its volunteers in Meri Dilli Meri Yamuna campaign in 2010.
It claimed that when the site of the festival was identified in December 2015, there was already a massive dumping of construction debris spread over 25 acres of land which was brought to the notice of the DDA.
The National Green Tribunal had on February 19 directed a fresh inspection of the site on Yamuna flood plains after Prof AK Gosain of IIT-Delhi, one of the members of the earlier inspection team, submitted a report saying all existing vegetation has been cleared in the area and if the event was allowed, it would leave a "permanent footprint" on the flood plains of Yamuna.
However, in another report, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has given a clean chit to the foundation and said no digging work was done at the site. In his report, Gosain has said the construction and preparations for the event were carried out in violation of the NGT's directions regarding the Yamuna flood plains.
A spokesperson of the foundation said the programme venue is at a safe distance from the river bank as promised to the authorities and 650 biotoilets are being installed to ensure that none of the waste is passed on to river Yamuna. "The temporary pontoon bridges also are being built under proper permission from the authorities. No parking area has been created on the flood plains as alleged. Only a temporary pathway has been created to help people reach the venue, the spokesperson claimed," the spokesperson added.
With a flurry of petitions against the World Culture Festival, the tribunal will be holding daily hearings ahead of the mega event. It is now up to the country's highest environmental court to decide what's right in the best interest of river Yamuna.
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