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

Tribals Plea Against Vedanta: ‘Green’ Court to Give Verdict

Outlook India Even as the government is yet to decide the fate of Vedanta’s controversial mining project in Orissa, a ‘green’ court is likely to deliver its judgement next month on the plea of locals seeking to quash environmental clearance given to the company. The National Environment Appellate Authority has reserved its order after hearing the plea of tribals... 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

Avatar’s Na’vi in London to stop Vedanta mine

Avatar style protest Two Na’vi from James Cameron’s film Avatar today paid a visit to British mining company Vedanta Resources’ Annual General Meeting in Westminster, London. The Na’vi joined tribal rights organization Survival in a demonstration against Vedanta, over its controversial plan to mine the sacred mountain of India’s Dongria Kondh tribe. Martin Horwood MP,... Read More

Indian miner Vedanta faces Avatar-style protest at its London AGM

The Observer Make-up artists will paint protesters as Na’vi rebels to symbolise the plight of the Dongria Kondh tribe in Orissa Members of the Dongria Kondh tribe protest against plans by Vedanta Resources to mine bauxite from the Niyamgiri hills. Protesters at the company's AGM will pose as Na'vi rebels form the eco-film Avatar, to symbolise the tribe's plight.... Read More

Dutch manager PGGM drops India’s Vedanta over ethical concerns

NETHERLANDS – Asset manager PGGM has withdrawn its investments in Indian mining company Vedanta Resources for “persistently ignoring” the environment and human rights. Despite a two-year dialogue concerning Vedanta’s mining activities in the state of Orissa, the company made no concrete improvements, PGGM said. The asset manager said Vedanta’s lack of improvement... Read More

Environmental activists demand ‘no mining’ in Nayamgiri

Staff Reporter, The Hindu BERHAMPUR: A large demonstration by environmental activists and tribals demanding ‘no mining’ in Niyamgiri area marked the observation of World Environment Day at Jagannathpur near Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district on Saturday. This demonstration had been called up by ‘Niyamgiri Surakshya Samity (NSS)’ and ‘Green Kalahandi’ against... Read More

Mining and forced displacement in Orissa – Prafulla Samantara speaks

Thanks to Pramod Biligiri for Videos Prafulla Samnatara, is President of Lok Shakti Abhijan, Odisha Chapter and one of the National Convenors of National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM). He has been actively participating in various democratic people’s movements to protect human rights, environment and right to livelihood of millions of people in Odisha state as well as... Read More