Conservation Issues Persist for Vedanta Mining Project in India

By Joel ScanlonAug 17 2010

In a clash between tribal conservation groups and profitable mining the Vedanta mining project has run into a controversy. The bauxite mine proposed by Vedanta on sacred tribal land in Dongria Kondh has been stalled by an Indian government inquiry.

The four member committee set up by the environment ministry accused Vedanta Alumina of violating forest conservation and environment protection regulations and displaying total contempt for the law. The subsidiary of a London listed firm, Vedanta Alumina's project has been strongly opposed by campaigners.

Located in the Niyamgiri Hills in eastern state of Orissa in India the impact of the mine on the local tribal population will affect its very survival. Given the widespread damage it will cause to tribes and their livelihoods, the report said that if the project went ahead, it would shake the faith of tribal people in Indian laws.

In a region already under threat by Maoist insurgents it is like a proverbial match waiting to be lit. While the panel has submitted its report it is as yet unknown if the Ministry of Environment will deny approval to the project.