Supreme Court Overturns NGT Order, Orders Rs 5 Crore Refund to Art of Living

The Supreme Court has set aside a 2017 order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that had held the Art of Living Foundation accountable for environmental damage on the Yamuna floodplains. This significant ruling directs the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to refund the Rs 5 crore environmental compensation previously deposited by the foundation.

• 2017: Year of the original National Green Tribunal order against the Art of Living Foundation.
• 2016: Year of the World Culture Festival, which allegedly caused the environmental damage.
• Rs 5 crore: Amount of environmental compensation the Delhi Development Authority must now refund.

The original NGT order had attributed environmental damage to the foundation, led by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, following its World Culture Festival in 2016. The Supreme Court’s decision, issued on Saturday, responds to an appeal filed by Vyakti Vikas Kendra India, an organisation associated with the Art of Living Foundation.

Key Directives from the Supreme Court

A Bench comprising Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice N K Singh delivered the ruling. Their directive not only mandates the refund but also clarifies the ongoing responsibilities for the affected area.

• The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is instructed to refund the Rs 5 crore environmental compensation to the Art of Living Foundation.
• The DDA must continue with the rehabilitation efforts on the Yamuna floodplains, a task originally directed by the NGT.

This verdict effectively reverses the NGT’s previous stance, altering the financial obligations while upholding the need for continued environmental restoration efforts by the Delhi Development Authority on the Yamuna floodplains.