UP irrigation dept warns organiser against polluting Yamuna banks

NOIDA: The Uttar Pradesh irrigation department on Thursday said it would cancel permission given to the three-day Art of Living festival if it was found polluting the Yamuna floodplains.

“We have given conditional permission to the Art of Living foundation, saying if it is found violating the green tribunal’s directive, permission will be considered cancelled. We will keep conducting inspections. If we will find that visitors or organisers are throwing waste or polluting the floodplain in any manner, we will cancel permission and take legal action,” said Ravi Prakash, assistant engineer of the UP Irrigation Department.

The department has allowed the foundation to set up a parking area on 15 hectares falling under its jurisdiction. The event will be hosted on 1,000 acres of floodplains controlled by the Delhi Development Authority.

“We have specifically mentioned in the permission letter that they (organiser) will not build roads, remove soil, cut trees, damage vegetation and the floodplain with their activities. We have asked them not to build temporary or permanent structures on 15 hectare parking spot allowed next to the Mayur Vihar Phase-I toll plaza of the DND Flyway,” said Prakash. Permission for the parking area was given in December 2015.

Green activists are opposing the festival on the grounds that it will pollute the Yamuna and its ecosystem. “Where will the waste generated by 35 lakh visitors go? Such a huge gathering will damage the fragile ecosystem. This event will set a wrong precedent for others,” said Manoj Misra of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan that has filed a petition in the NGT.

The Art of Living spokesperson said: “This event will help in the campaign to rejuvenate the Yamuna that is dying due to polluted water. Our event will draw attention towards Yamuna’s protection.”