more-inThe National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Mathura Vrindavan Development Authority and the MP from Mathura, Hema Malini, to ensure removal of debris, if any, lying on the Yamuna floodplains following preparations for a one-day Holi Mahotsav Cultural Programme. Alternative locationA Bench headed by judicial member Jawad Rahim said, “If any debris has been dumped and if any activity has taken place on the banks of the Yamuna, the debris shall be removed and damages if any shall be set right by the respondents, under the supervision of the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and the District Magistrate concerned.”While hearing a petition filed by Mathur Chaturvedi Parishad, the green panel took into consideration the submissions made by the Uttar Pradesh government, which stated that the proposed site for the event had been shifted to an alternative location. The green panel had on February 15 directed the State Pollution Control Board and the National Mission for Clean Ganga to carry out inspections of the concerned site on the Yamuna floodplains and submit a report. The panel, however, dismissed a plea seeking a stay on the event. The plea had stated that construction on the floodplains was in violation of notifications issued by the Ministry of Water Resources.

Source: The Hindu February 26, 2018 20:08 UTC