WHAT THE NGTAPPOINTED PANEL SAID
funds, we do not impose any further environmental compensation upon DDA,” the judgment stated.
The bench, also comprising Justice Jawad Rahim and expert member BS Sajwan, said that even the Delhi Pollution Control Committee had failed to exercise due caution in granting permis- The damage to the Yamuna floodplains will cost more than Rs 42 crore and at least 10 years to fix
The apportionment of ecological rehabilitation cost may be made between Art of Living and other agencies, as directed by the green tribunal
The panel, headed by Shashi Shekhar, secretary of ministry of water resources, had suggested a time-bound action plan, which comprises two components - physical and biological rehabilitation The floodplain was severely harmed and “almost all its natural vegetation” was lost, affecting the natural habitat of large number animals, insects and other organisms
Aquatic plants, microbes and other small aquatic animals, including fish that once lived in the floodplains, would have to be introduced again
Possibility of leaching of toxic substances from debris and other wastes
The event site looks reddish most likely because of material used to level the ground sion to the Art of Living Foundation. It should have considered the request for permission in accordance with environmental laws in force.
Before the pronouncement of the judgment, the green tribunal was informed that Justice RS Rathore, who had earlier heard the matter, had recused from the bench.
In the judgment, the Art of Living Foundation has been given the option to move to expert committee and the DDA, if it “proposes to make any suggestions for restitution or restoration and other necessary works of the flood plains” limited to the area allotted to it by the DDA.