On October 5th, 2004 an official agreement was signed between the Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) and Sterlite Industries, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources plc, for the purpose of mining of bauxite reserves at at the foot of the Niyamgiri mountain, near the town of Lanjigarh.
The mining operation will have massive negative affects on the Dongria Kondh, one of India's most isolated tribes. The company is planning to mine over 1 million tonnes of bauxite a year from reserves within Niyamgiri mountain. Official studies have indicated that this is likely to lead to massive deforestation on the slopes, the destruction of protected local ecosystems rich in biodiversity, and the disruption of key water sources that supply springs and streams on the surrounding hillsides and feed two rivers which irrigate large areas of farmland in southeast Orissa.
Local communities and civil society groups have raised serious concerns about the impacts of the existing refinery operation, the proposed expansion of the refinery, and the mine.
Issues
Social Impact : The Dongria Kondh are considered a 'scheduled-tribe', living on the Niyamgiri Hills. Their economy is based on gathering forest products in these hills. Vedanta is determined to strip-mine the Niyamgiri Hills for Bauxite. If Vedanta is permitted to mine in Niyamgiri, two of India's strongest institutional guarantees will be overturned; the right of a 'primitive' tribal group to their territorial integrity and to decide on their own path of development (Schedule V of the Indian constitution), and the right to religious practices and beliefs (Article 25).
Nonetheless, the company has already built an aluminium refinery in the town of Lanjigarh at the foot of the mountain. Several villages have had to make way for the refinery. Others will have to vacate their lands as the plant expands and feeder roads, airstrips, and toxic waste ponds are built.
This refinery would have an equally bad effect on the environment.
This article was posted on the request of Asita Ajgaonkar.
Thank u so much Mam!
ReplyDeleteDear Mam,
ReplyDeletethe article was really a good read..Its sort of a dilemma of industrialisation versus tribal rights..But can also highlight the development that vedanta as a group has done in Orrisa.It has generated employment, reduced poverty to some extent, build infrastructure,schools and so on..yes, but environment is equally important.So some sort of agreement should be made where there is a win - win situation. Like easy access / duty free excess to raw materials from near by places or some industrial consessions. I had come across a good link on this topic.
http://www.businessworld.in/bw/2010_03_05_RealLife_Avatar_In_Orissa_Tribes_VsVedanta.html
Since mining operation will lead to massive deforestation and the tribals of the region will also be affected.Nothing should be done at the cost of the environment and against the interest of the people as these two are important resource of the country.Before mining operation starts,the OMC and sterlite industries should ensure that they will try to cause less damage to the environment and they will take steps to restore the environment(Afforestation).They should come up with an alternative plan which is in the interest of the tribals so that justice is done to the tribals.
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