Sri Sri Ravi Shankar gives in, pays Yamuna fine

The Art of Living Foundation on Monday gave in to the National Green Tribunal directions and paid the environment compensation of Rs 4.75 crore for damaging the Yamuna during its three-day festival in March.

The foundation, led by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, deposited the money through a demand draft on June 3. “The Art of Living Foundation has submitted a demand draft of Rs 4.75 crore as per the orders of the National Green Tribunal on June 3,” advocate Kush Sharma, appearing for the DDA, told PTI.

The foundation hinted that it may approach the Supreme Court against the National Green Tribunal order asking it to pay Rs 5 crore as compensation. It also claimed that there has been no scientific assessment of pre- and post- situation of the floodplains till now.

The green panel had on June 3 directed the expert committee headed by Shashi Shekhar, secretary of ministry of water resources, to inspect the site on the Yamuna floodplains where the three-day festival was organised, before June 10. The panel had also asked to submit a “complete and comprehensive” report in a sealed cover by July 4.

The foundation, however, reiterated that no harm was caused to the Yamuna floodplains during the World Culture Festival. In a statement released on Monday, the AoL claimed: “The Art of Living is a reputed organisation with a proven track record in environment protection and care. We would like to state that much of what has been said with reference to damage of the Yamuna floodplains is concocted and without any logical or scientific basis.”