Indian government rejection of Vedanta bauxite mine a “landmark victory” for Indigenous rights
Amnesty International today described the Indian government’s decision to reject the bauxite mine project in Orissa’s Niyamgiri Hills as a landmark victory for the human rights of Indigenous communities. India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests today rejected the mine project proposed by a subsidiary of UK-based Vedanta Resources and the state-owned Orissa Mining Corporation,... Read More
It is ‘no’ to Vedanta’s mine project in Orissa
TIMELY DECISION: Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh at a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photo: Ramesh Sharma After a long drawn-out consultation process, the Union government has finally pronounced its verdict against Vedanta Alumina’s $1.7-billion plan to mine bauxite in the Niyamgiri Hills of Orissa. “There has been a very serious violation of the Environment Protection... Read More
Vedanta – Four member committee report
The Ministry of Environment and Forests, GoI had appointed a four member committee to review whether the Vedanta Resources can be given final environmental clearance to mine bauxite at Niyamgiri hills. The committee submitted the final report at 1pm today. Executive Summary of the report is attached to this mail. You can download full report (4.33mb) from MoEF website: http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/saxena_vedanta.pdf. REPORT... Read More
On the release of Lado Sikaka
Lado Sikaka, the tribal leader of the Dongria Kondh, was released yesterday afternoon (12 Aug) by the police three days after he was abducted. He was left at Kalyansingpur town and had to walk 10 km to reach home. He was tortured by the police who have forced him to sign a written statement. The statement says that Lado “will not damage public or private property anymore... Read More
Environment Ministry Directs Orissa Government To Stop Work On The POSCO Project
The Environment Ministry today finally issued a welcome but ambiguous order directing the Orissa government to stop work on the POSCO project and the illegal process of forest land takeovers that is taking place. While giving some immediate relief by stopping the illegal land grabbing that the Orissa government started last week, the order is silent on the basic issue:... Read More
Call To Action – Send an Email to Ministry of Forests (India) re the POSCO project
Dear friends: The situation in Jagatsingpur, the POSCO project area, is tense and explosive. The Orissa Government has begun the land takeover in direct violation of the Ministry of Environment and Forests directive that no forest land diversion must happen till all the requirements of the Forest Rights Act are met with. The Minister, Jairam Ramesh, himself has conceded in the... Read More
NC Saxena’s letter to Jairam Ramesh on FRA violation at POSCO Site
3 August 2010 Sub: Forest Rights Act violation at POSCO site, Orissa Dear Shri Jairam Ramesh, As you are aware, three members of the MoEF/MoTA Committee (Arupjyoti Saikia, Ravi Rebbapragada and Ashish Kothari) went to Jagatsinghpur as part of the MoEF/MoTA FRA Committee’s work. While there, they enquired about the FRA process in the district, including the villages to be affected... Read More
MoEF/MoTA Committee Report of visit to Jagatsinghpur
MoEF/MoTA Committee on Forest Rights Act Report of visit to Jagatsinghpur (site of proposed POSCO project), Orissa, 23-24 July 2010 4 August 2010 Introduction Three members of the MoEF/MoTA Committee (Arupjyoti Saikia, Ravi Rebbapragada and Ashish Kothari) went to Jagatsinghpur as part of the MoEF/MoTA FRA Committee’s study tour of Orissa. Apart from Jagatsinghpur, the... Read More
Appeal for protest against illegal land acquisition in Gadakujang Panchayat for POSCO project
Dear all, The MoU between the state government of Odisha and POSCO steel company expired on 21st June 2010. Despite that the land acquisition and eviction from beetle vines in Gadakujang area is continuing by the district administration of Jagatsingpur and IIDCO in presence of the office bearers of POSCO! What is the locus standi of the district administration in occupying the land... Read More
Land acquisition for Posco resumes
Economic Times PARADIP (ORISSA): Land acquisition for the Rs 51,000 crore Posco steel project near here in Jagatsinghpur district resumed today after a day’s halt following opposition to it. “Acquisition of land in some areas under Gada Kujang gram panchayat was resumed with the consent of the affected people,” Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Paradip, Saroj... Read More
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