Sadhguru’s Isha Foundation was all set to unveil the Adiyogi statue and open Isha Yoga Centre at the foothill of Nandi Hills in Bengaluru. The High Court of Karnataka has ordered a status quo on the same. The court has also sent notices to the Yoga Centres and 14 other respondents, which include the Government of Karnataka and The Union Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Ecology.
The inauguration of the statue was set to take place on January 15.
What is the matter?
The litigation alleges that the authorities allowed the setting up of the statue following the violation of the natural ecosystem. The PIL stated that establishing the private foundation at the hills would mean that commercial activities will be carried out in the core of the Panchagiri Nandi Range.
The PIL has stated that the authorities have allowed the destruction of water bodies, water feeder streams, and natural rainwater streams in the foothills of Nandi Hills. The violation of environmental laws will have an impact on the cattle, sheep, and wild animals in the Nandi Hills region.
The Elephant Corridor Controversies
Credits – Hindi Post
Isha Foundation is not new to controversies. While the face of this foundation, Jaggi Vasudev, has gotten into several controversies himself, the Elephant Corridor controversy remains the biggest for the foundation.
The Isha Foundation headquarter is located in the foothills of the Velliangiri Hills, in Ikkarai Boluvampatti. The centre is located on a 150–acre campus, and it includes over 77 large and small structures. The structure is allegedly in violation of laws as it is adjacent to the Bolampatty Reserve Forest. The Reserve Forest is an elephant habitat in the Nilgiris biosphere reserve. The Hill Area Conservation Authority, or HACA, which was set up in 1990 to preserve the ecology and wildlife of forested hills in Tamil Nadu, prevents any human activity in such an area.
