Since it teaches yoga, Isha Foundation qualifies as a “educational institute” and therefore is free from obtaining previous environmental clearance: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court ruled in Isha Foundation v. Union of India and Others on Wednesday that because Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha foundation engages in group development activities and operates a yoga centre, it will be regarded as an educational institute and will, therefore, be entitled to the exemption granted by the Central government from needing prior environmental clearance for construction activities.

Therefore, a bench composed of Acting Chief Justice T Raja and Justice D Krishnakumar approved the Isha Foundation’s petition and revoked a show-cause notice that the Tamil Nadu government had issued to the Foundation on November 19, 2021, alleging violations of environmental standards in the construction of its Coimbatore campus.

Isha Foundation was given a show cause notice alleging that, while carrying out building work, it had not obtained the necessary environmental clearance required by the Union government’s Environment Impact Assessment Notification of 2006.

This news is written by Ms. Amrita Singh, Research Assistant, All India Legal Forum.