Sri Sri blames govt and NGT in Yamuna floodplain damage case, rebuked by the green bench

The spiritual leader has said that the NGT and the Centre have to take the blame for environmental damage, if any, to the Yamuna floodplains as they had given him the permission to hold the festival, media reports said.

Earlier in April, the NGT ruled that spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living Foundation (AOL Foundation) was responsible for destroying the Yamuna floodplain during the World Culture Festival, media reports said.

Following the NGT ruling, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar wrote on the Facebook page of The Art of Living Foundation, "Those who say the Art of Living is irresponsible simply don't know us or have gained a sense of humour! The truth is we have caused no damage to the Yamuna. When lies are exposed, it is shocking.
I think you heard it wrong! Perhaps NGT has slammed its own committee for being irresponsible & inconsistent in both its reports. From Rs.120 cr for wetlands to Rs.13 cr for flood plains! From permanent damage to 10yrs & appointing themselves to restore the place."

Last year, after a lot of debate, the NGT had ruled that the Art of Living Foundation could go ahead with the function but imposed a fine of Rs. 5 crore as environmental damage cost.

The Festival was highly praised by Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah who had tweeted then "Attended #WorldCulturalFestival My congratulations to @SriSri & volunteers of @ArtofLiving for this successful event."

After the findings of the expert committee appointed by the NGT presented its report to the green bench, the AOL Foundation raised objections regarding the same and asked for the report to be set aside.

The green bench set May 9 as the next hearing date and asked the concerned parties to file their response and objections in two week prior to the hearing date, media reports said.