On account of the intervention of the NGT, the cultural programme sought to be hosted by BJP MP Hema Malini on the bank of river Yamuna in front of Vishramghat in Mathura, UP, on the occasion of Holi, now has a different venue.

The intervention came on an original application moved by Shri Mathur Chaturved Parishad before the principal bench of the NGT praying for the following relief:



An order directing Hema Malini and the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department not to undertake any construction on the riverbed and floodplain and riverbed of Yamuna in Mathura for the proposed event on February 23 and 24.

A direction to the state of Uttar Pradesh and other authorities to ensure that there is no violation of the provisions of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016.



On February 15, the tribunal had directed the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and the National Mission for Clean Ganga to conduct inspection of the area in question and furnish its report with regard to the allegation made in the application regarding the likely impact on the environment, consequent to the proposed event on the bank of river Yamuna.

On Friday, the NGT was informed that Ms. Malini, who intended to hold the event on the bank of Yamuna, had written a letter to the District Magistrate, Mathura, under whose jurisdiction that area falls and who had granted approval for the Holi Cultural Programme on the Yamuna bank.

The NGT on Friday directed that any debris which may have been dumped and any activity that may have taken place on the bank of river Yamuna, the same shall be removed and the damage if any shall be set right by Ms. Malini under the supervision of the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and the District Magistrate concerned.