Supreme Court quashes NGT ruling against Art of Living on Yamuna damage

The Supreme Court has set aside the National Green Tribunal's order against the Art of Living Foundation regarding alleged damage to the Yamuna floodplains during the organization's World Culture Festival held in 2016. The apex court directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to refund ₹5 crore to the foundation, reversing the green tribunal's earlier verdict that had held the foundation responsible for environmental degradation in the area.

The NGT had previously determined that the Art of Living Foundation caused significant damage to the Yamuna's floodplains during the three-day cultural event, which attracted thousands of participants. The tribunal had imposed financial penalties on the organization as a consequence of the alleged environmental harm.

In its judgment, the Supreme Court observed that the floodplain area in question was already in a damaged state prior to the festival's organization. This finding formed the basis for the court's decision to overturn the tribunal's ruling and order the financial restitution to the foundation.

The case underscores the ongoing legal complexities surrounding environmental protection and event management in sensitive ecological zones around the Yamuna River, which has long been a focus of conservation efforts in New Delhi. The ruling is likely to influence how future permissions for large-scale events in environmentally sensitive areas are evaluated.