Vedanta mine threatens indigenous communities
We have been living here for generations,
how can the government now just say that it is their land
and decide to allow mining without talking to us?
L., at the Dongria Kondh hamlet of Lakpaddar
Protect communities from Vedanta's toxic leaks
Over 4,000 families in India face serious risk from threats of leaks from Vedanta's red mud pond as the rainy season begins in June. Join our action to call on the Indian authorities to protect local communities from toxic industrial leaks. Email the Indian authorities now
Levels within the pond have already risen, amidst reports of two leaks in the last two months, threatening the communities' safety, health and livelihoods. The local communities fear that they could face a grave situation in the event of a breach during the rain expected from the monsoon. Email the Indian authorities now
News
- Vedanta's toxic sludge from red mud pond: A 'Toxic Timebomb' threatening rural Indian communities 02 June 2011
- India: government decision to reject Vedanta refinery expansion welcomed 22 October 2010
- India government rejection of Vedanta bauxite mine a 'landmark victory' for indigenous rights 24 August 2010
Our campaign on Vedanta
UK-based mining company Vedanta Resources is threatening the human rights of indigenous communities in the Indian state of Orissa. The company is planning to mine bauxite in the Niyamgiri Hills and expand its alumina refinery at the foot of the Hills, in Lanjigarh.
- Watch a longer version of this film on our YouTube channel
- Read the full report: 'Don't mine us out of existence' (PDF)
Thank you to all those who have signed our petition. We have collected more than 30,000 names worldwide and handed the petition to Vedanta Resources at their AGM on Wednesday 28 July 2010. Read a blog post to get an insight into the AGM
Good news - Vedanta refinery expansion rejected
In October 2010, the India's Ministry of Environment and Forests rejected a six-fold expansion of the refinery in the Lanjigarh area, proposed by Vedanta Aluminium, finding that the project violated the country's environmental laws.
Residents of 12 villages who live in the shadow of the massive refinery - mostly Majhi Kondh adivasi (indigenous) and Dalit communities who rely on agriculture for their livelihoods - have long campaigned against the expansion, arguing it would further pollute their land and water.
2011-06-02
AIUK : Vedanta
via amnesty.org.uk
