Yellow invokes turmeric and peace, a smile, togetherness, health and happiness of the community. A woman in traditional attire Shinta first met Jakasika two years ago, at an indigenous film festival in Kalimantan. Themes ; Deals. Can royalty financing for mining projects endure a crisis like Covid-19? by Joan Martinez-Alier and Leah Temper. The government insists on concrete houses. In what is perhaps India’s first environmental referendum, all 12 villages selected by the government voted against the project. Bauxite is the raw material for alumina and aluminum, and Odisha has 700 million tonnes of known bauxite reserves, of which 88 million tonnes are estimated to be found in Niyamgiri. Two years ago, when the tribal people of Odisha’s thickly forested Niyamgiri hills unanimously rejected the plans of the London-based conglomerate Vedanta Resources to mine bauxite in their lands, it appeared that a decade-long struggle to protect the hills and forests – and the tribal way of life – had finally succeeded. Get the latest Niyamgiri hills news, videos and headlines. The company formed a joint venture with the state-owned Odisha Mining Corporation to develop the Niyamgiri mine, under a memorandum of understanding. Mining bauxite and processing it into aluminium is deadly to the environment. At the annual festival, Dongria Kondhs resolved not to yield an inch if the government resorts to forced eviction. Emmanuela Shinta, 26, an independent filmmaker from Indonesia’s Kalimantan rainforest, and Dinja Jakasika, a 30-year-old village sarpanch from the foothills of Odisha’s picturesque Niyamgiri Hills, had nothing in common — nationality, attire or language. The team of experts, in their March, 2010 report, concluded that Vedanta’s proposed bauxite mine would be detrimental to the existence of the Dongria Kondh; a consequence which was too serious to ignore. Though the administration has promised to review all applications, confusion prevails in the community. In the rush to acquire mining rights, stringent environmental laws were violated, and the Dongria’s consent was not sought. NSS is a collective of tribes that has been opposing bauxite mining by Vedanta in Niyamgiri hills since 2003. pressure from the state government as well as Vedanta, a London based mining company, to make way for Bauxite mining. In 2010, the Union Environment Ministry originally rejected Vedanta’s proposal to mine bauxite from the area. Third village says no to mining atop Niyamgiri Hills 23 Jul, 2013, 08.37 PM IST. The state government-owned Odisha Mining Corporation was supposed to provide the bauxite extracted from the Niyamgiri hills to the Vedanta refinery. Committees from each village were roped in to carry supplementary food to the children. They are home to more than 8,000 of the Dongria Kondh people, whose lifestyle and religion have helped nurture the area’s dense forests and unusually rich wildlife. We have been keeping you up-to-date with information on the developments in India and the world that have a bearing on our health and wellbeing, our lives and livelihoods, during these difficult times. 08 Dec 2020. The Dongria tribe and the Niyamgiri Hills For many centuries, the highly endangered Dongria tribe have inhabited the hills that contain an estimated $2 billion worth of bauxite deposits (Bennett, 2014). I believe this is going to be tough. Photo: Reuters Odisha looks to revive bauxite mining in Niyamgiri hills In the same month, Dadhi Pushika was subjected to physical assault after Rayagada police picked him up from the village. Niyamgiri hills are home to about 8,000 Dongaria Kondh tribes living in 160 villages. Jamu Gauda, another villager, faced similar police action. The traditional green, yellow and red embroidery threads are bought from the market. Currently, Odisha steel and mines minister Prafulla Mallick said: "The state government is keen to hold gram sabhas again for Niyamgiri bauxite mining. Unanimous rejection was recorded in July and August 2013. Now, the state government has to seek permission from the apex court to start the process again. “How many government officials have ever visited our villages? “But the shawl gives us prestige when we go to fairs or social events,” said Lakmi Sikaka, a Dongria woman. BHUBANESWAR/NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Odisha is seeking to revive a controversial plan to mine for bauxite in the Niyamgiri hills, a lushly forested … When the government is not ready to listen to us, why should we care for them?”. The mining operation will have massive negative affects on the Dongria Kondh, one of India's most isolated tribes. No bauxite mining at Niyamgiri till nod from locals: Vedanta The announcement comes nearly four months after the Ministry of Environment and Forest turned down Vedanta's mining proposal, paying heed to the local villagers' verdict. I was asked a volley of questions on my alleged links with left-wing extremists. The OMC holds a claim over the deposit with a letter of intent towards a mining lease from the state government. Metal News - Published on Tue, 05 Apr 2016. It’s a support for truth and fairness in journalism. “When I met Dinja and got to know about their struggle, I was stunned. Odisha is seeking to revive a controversial plan to mine for bauxite in the Niyamgiri hills, a lushly forested area that the Dongria Kondh tribe considers sacred, a minister said on Wednesday. Fueled by the continuous protests of the Dongria Kondh and the outpouring of support for the tribe, the Government of India sent a team of experts to the Niyamgiri Hills in 2010. mining bauxite in the Niyamgiri hills. Vedanta planned open pit mining to a depth of 13.6 meters, crushing the bauxite, and transporting it to the refinery at the bottom of the hill via conveyor belt. On the sidelines of the annual Niyamraja Festival held recently on the hills, 5,000 ft above sea level, Sikaka vented his anguish. Resolute Mining’s Syama gold mine workers launch strike; Coronavirus company news summary – Syama workers strike over Covid-19 policy – China’s aluminium and alloy imports reach 1.74Mt – Ningbo Lygend restart construction in Indonesia; Most Recent. The embroidery involves some very intricate needlework, and the shawl has a special place in Dongria tradition. July 25, 2013 3:10 am. Unanimous rejection was recorded in July and August 2013. The Dongria tribe and the Niyamgiri Hills For many centuries, the highly endangered Dongria tribe have inhabited the hills that contain an estimated $2 billion worth of bauxite deposits (Bennett, 2014). In 2013, the Supreme Court of India asked the tribal people to take the decision, in which BMP was rejected in all village council meetings. About Bauxite mine Niyamgiri Hills 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 … We brief you on the latest and most important developments, three times a day. I believe this is going to be tough. You have reached your limit for free articles this month. “The government has not forgotten its defeat by a tribal group. Resources plc, for the purpose of mining of bauxite reserves at at the foot of the Niyamgiri mountain, near the town of Lanjigarh. Bauxite is the raw material for alumina and aluminum, and Odisha has 700 million tonnes of known bauxite reserves, of which 88 million tonnes are estimated to be found in Niyamgiri. For the Odisha Mining Corporation, the mining arm of the state government, the value of the hills lies in the region’s Lanjigarh-Niyamgiri deposit, which contains 88 million tonnes of bauxite. The Supreme Court of India asked in April 2013 for public consultations in villages and hamlets in the Niyamgiri hills. The Hindu has always stood for journalism that is in the public interest. Till the early 2000s, Dongria Kondhs lived peacefully in quiet and inaccessible hamlets on the slopes of the Niyamgiri range, in the Bissam Cuttack, Muniguda and Kalyansingpur blocks of Rayagada district and in the Lanjigarh block of Kalahandi district. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The hills reportedly contain a deposition of bauxite of more than 80 million tonnes. India has rejected Vedanta Resources' proposed bauxite mining plan for the Niyamgiri Hills in Odisha state. The Dongria tribe of Eastern India has been under intense pressure from the state government as well as Vedanta, a London based mining company, to make way for Bauxite mining.The Dongria tribe and the Niyamgiri Hills For many Women from the Dongria Kondh tribe gather on top of the Niyamgiri mountain near Lanjigarh, Odisha in February 2010. Not all members of the tribe even know what the FRA is. “Green symbolises the endless chain of mountains and fields. There was no concrete allegation against him. District: Kalahandi-Rayagada, Odisha. Jakasika agreed. x DOWNLOAD. Your support for our journalism is invaluable. Innocent tribals are being branded as Maoists,” said Manohar Chauhan, a forest rights activist and former campaigner of Amnesty International. The film festival, which travelled from Bhubaneswar to Puri and ended in Kurli, a Dongria Kondh village in Rayagada district, showcased the anguish and struggle of indigenous communities in India and around the world. It is very important for us to assert our rights and to be strong. Company: Orissa Mining Corporation (for Vedanta) Reserves: … Niyamgiri Hills contains 72 million tonnes of bauxite, which the firm intended to mine to feed its alumina refinery plant at Lanjigarh, Odisha. Bauxite is the raw material for alumina and aluminum, and Odisha has 700 million tonnes of known bauxite reserves, of which 88 million tonnes are estimated to be found in Niyamgiri. The Khandadhar watershed and forests, which hold […] Activists estimated that this would destroy 1,660 acres of pristine forest, plus pollute the air, the soil and critical water resources. However, the decision offered the tribe only a temporary reprieve, as the court ordered the company’s Indian unit, Sterlite Industries,10 to come back with a new proposal for the project. Their distinctive Kapadaganda shawl, however, has captured the attention of art lovers worldwide. We should stay connected. The Stateowned Odisha Mining Company (OMC) had sought permission to mine bauxite in the Niyamgiri hills and supply it to Vedantas alumina refinery. For the Odisha Mining Corporation, the mining arm of the state government, the value of the hills lies in the region’s Lanjigarh-Niyamgiri deposit, which contains 88 million tonnes of bauxite. Posted by Leah on August 2nd, 2013. by Joan Martinez-Alier and Leah Temper. Dr Kumar said VAL was waiting for necessary clearances from … Young community leader Drenzoo at the Niyamraja festival. Twenty percent of the Dongria Kondh live in … The Dongrias have largely stayed secluded. A solid waste product ‘red mud’ which is an environmental and health hazard is produced during … The plan was to develop a bauxite mine in Niyamgiri hills and supply the material to Vedanta’s alumina refinery. Ever since the community turned down a proposal from Vedanta Aluminium to mine the Niyamgiri hills for bauxite in 2013, it has found itself in the cross hairs of the State government. Today, he is distraught. “What we are hearing from other activists is that the Supreme Court order has presented a golden opportunity for the government to reject applications regarding individual forest rights, community forest rights and habitat rights and wrest control of Niyamgiri. The community said there are barely any schools or anganwadis in the 100-odd hamlets scattered across the Niyamgiri slopes, though the government claims otherwise. In the rush to acquire mining rights, stringent environmental … Image Source: huffpost. The struggle has been on since October 2004, when the government-owned Odisha State Mining Company (OMC) signed an agreement with UK-based Vedanta Resources to mine over 70 million tons of bauxite in the Niyamgiri hills. But, like all well-meaning projects that find little resonance on ground, they could not lift the literacy rate, an abysmal 33% among a population of 11,551. Wherever I go, I meet indigenous people and find connections even though we don’t know each other or each other’s language. We will fight together,” said Shinta. The company planned to mine the Niyamgiri hill range, which is believed to be the home of deity Niyam Rajawhich, who is worshipped by the local Dongria Kondh tribe. Apart from this, Vedanta Alumina Refinery runs a private hospital as CSR activity. The Rayagada district administration has tried to improve the quality of the base fabric and the embroidery threads, and also to get a GI tag for the unique garment. Bhubaneswar: South Korean steel behemoth Posco’s mining prospects in Kandadhar hills of Sundergarh district may face the same fate as Niyamgiri Hills, given the Environment Ministry’s January direction in the latter’s case rejecting Vedanta’s bauxite extraction plan and endorsing forest rights of tribals following a Gram Sabha verdict. As we fight disinformation and misinformation, and keep apace with the happenings, we need to commit greater resources to news gathering operations. I hope the programme continues,” said Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, until recently the collector of Rayagada. State by state: the minerals Australia is known for, Metso Outotec sells aluminium business to REEL International, Hargreaves announces sale of speciality coal inventory to German JV HRMS, Epiroc Canada agrees to buy software company MineRP, Oxbotica raises $47m for autonomous mining software, Q&A: Lioness of Africa Andiswa Silinga on geospatial data and mining, Nevada Copper installs materials handling system at Pumpkin Hollow project in US, A $5.8bn fine: questions for Pakistan’s massive mining dispute. The Khandadhar watershed and forests, which hold […] In April 2013, India’s top court ruled that the decision to allow Vedanta Resources to mine bauxite in two districts of Orissa state rests with local tribes. Resolute Mining’s Syama gold mine workers launch strike; Coronavirus company news summary – Syama workers strike over Covid-19 policy – China’s aluminium and alloy imports reach 1.74Mt – Ningbo Lygend restart construction in Indonesia Bhubaneswar: South Korean steel behemoth Posco’s mining prospects in Kandadhar hills of Sundergarh district may face the same fate as Niyamgiri Hills, given the Environment Ministry’s January direction in the latter’s case rejecting Vedanta’s bauxite extraction plan and endorsing forest rights of tribals following a Gram Sabha verdict. Resolute Mining’s Syama gold mine workers launch strike. The topography of the area made it impossible to reach each village. It wanted to mine bauxite — the primary raw material for aluminium — from the Niyamgiri hills for Vedanta Aluminium’s 1 million-tonne-per-annum (mtpa) alumina refinery in neighbouring Lanjigarh, which had been operational since 2007. The Niyamgiri Hills form a mountain range in the Eastern Indian state of Orissa. The proposed mining area would cover 7 square kilometers on the top of Niyamgiri Hills. … Sources & Materials . The Union environment ministry cancelled all permissions granted to the company following allegations by … The Dongria Kondh win the battle against bauxite mining in the Niyamgiri Hills, Odisha. Where will we grow pineapples, banana, oranges, turmeric, cereals and pulses? “Allegations of police intimidation and ill-treatment of the community are deeply disturbing. *Our Digital Subscription plans do not currently include the e-paper, crossword and print. Posts about Niyamgiri written by m rajshekhar. This conflict has been a well-known case in the mineral-rich state of Odisha in India, involving some of the world’s oldest surviving indigenous peoples. for Bauxite mining. However, the decision offered the tribe only a temporary reprieve, as the court ordered the company's Indian unit, Sterlite Industries,10 to come back with a new proposal for the project. How do they identify the beneficiaries? Sources & Materials . Jakasika belongs to the Dongria Kondh community, one of Odisha’s few remaining tribal groups. The court has also provided an escape clause for the mining giants, by … “Forest dwellers across the country got temporary relief when the Supreme Court stayed its eviction order. In the rush to acquire mining rights, stringent environmental laws were violated, and the Dongria’s consent was not sought. The hills reportedly contain 80 million tonnes of bauxite, much of it in a mountain that local Kondh tribes (Dongria and Kutia) worship as their deity, Niyam Raja. Continue to use this bauxite mining in niyamgiri hills we will assume that you are not only beneficiary... 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