The NGT had imposed the compensation after holding the Art of Living responsible for alleged damage caused to the Yamuna floodplains during preparations for the World Culture Festival.
Published: August 22, 2026, 1:22 PM IST
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The Supreme Court on Saturday cancelled a 2017 order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that had held the Art of Living Foundation responsible for damage to the Yamuna floodplains during its 2016 World Culture FestivalA Bench of Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice NK Singh allowed the appeal filed by Vyakti Vikas Kendra India (VVKI), an organisation associated with the Art of LivingThe court also ordered the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to return the Rs5 crore environmental compensation paid by the organisation.
The Supreme Court said there was no direct evidence to prove that the World Culture Festival had caused damage to the Yamuna’s floodplain ecosystemIt therefore set aside the environmental penalty imposed on the organisation.
The appeal was filed by VVKI, a registered charitable trust in India that is associated with the Art of Living Foundation, founded by spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi ShankarThe international Art of Living Foundation and VVKI are separate entities, although they are associated with each other.
The NGT had imposed the compensation after holding the Art of Living responsible for alleged damage caused to the Yamuna floodplains during preparations for the World Culture Festival.
While giving relief to VVKI, the Supreme Court also said the DDA had failed to properly protect the Yamuna floodplainsThe court directed the authority to continue the restoration and rehabilitation work in the area as previously ordered by the NGT.
The large cultural event was held on the banks of the Yamuna from March 11 to 13, 2016The NGT had allowed the event to take place after the organisers agreed to pay the environmental compensation.
On the opening day of the event, the organisers approached the NGT and sought more time to pay the full amountThe tribunal allowed them to deposit ₹25 lakh immediately and gave them three weeks to pay the remaining amount.
The organisation paid the initial Rs25 lakhIt later requested that the remaining Rs4.75 crore be treated as a bank guarantee instead of being paid as compensationIt also proposed that the money be used to develop a biodiversity park in the area.
The entire Rs5 crore was eventually depositedHowever, the Art of Living later challenged the NGT’s 2017 decision before the Supreme Court, leading to the latest ruling.
