The National Green Tribunal today directed Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living (AOL) foundation to deposit by tomorrow an environment compensation of Rs 4.75 crore imposed on it for damaging Yamuna's biodiversity during its three-day 'World Culture Festival' in March.


A vacation bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed the foundation to deposit the amount with Delhi Development Authority (DDA) through RTGS (instant transfer) by June 4.


The green panel also directed the expert committee headed by Shashi Shekhar, Secretary of Ministry of Water Resources, to inspect the site, on Yamuna floodplains where the festival was organised, before June 10 and submit a "complete and comprehensive" report in a sealed cover by July 4.


The bench said that if the inspection was not done before June 10, the whole purpose of visit by the expert committee would be "defeated" as there were chances of rain.


It also said that besides Shekhar, the inspection committee would comprise of senior scientist from National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Professor C R Babu, Professor A K Gosain, Professor Brij Gopal and two more members. The NGT also clarified that AOL would have to deposit the the cost of Rs 5000, imposed on it for filing a plea which lacked bonafide, with the NGT Bar Association. The matter is now listed for next hearing on July 19. The tribunal had slammed AOL for not depositing the environment compensation imposed on it saying it was "wilful violation" of its undertakings.