The Art of Living foundation, which has come under criticism for allegedly harming the Yamuna floodplains during preparations for its World Culture Festival, paid Rs 25 lakh of a Rs 5-crore fine imposed on it by the National Green Tribunal. Earlier, an NGT panel had recommended fining them Rs 120 crore for damaging a 1,000-acre area the foundation is using for its massive event. The festival, which began on Friday, was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is expected to be present there on Saturday.

Art of Living said it will pay the remainder of the fine in three weeks, which the NGT accepted. The green court on Friday, however, told the foundation that if anybody maligned the tribunal, “they would take it to a logical conclusion as per rule of law”. Earlier, Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar denied reports of the Yamuna plains being harmed, and said he will go to jail but not pay the fine.

Tourism minister Mahesh Sharma admitted that such a massive event, which is expected to have around 35 lakh visitors, can impact the environment, but added that a solution can be found. He told ANI that India’s strength lay in its diverse culture, and “we want to take it to the corners of the world, which is why the event is so helpful.”