India Update
Published by MAC on 2006-12-10
India Update
10th December 2006
One of the longest and most embittered struggles by India's Advisai (tribal peoples( to assert rights over their territory is coming to a climax. For more than three years the Dongria Khonds in Lnjigarh, Orissa, have resolutely fought UK-listed Vedanta Resources' plan to mine their sacred Nyamgiri hills. A final decision is now likely to be made by the Supreme Court in early 2007. But this is far from the whole story…
Coal and diesel power generation is blighting the very substance of India's existence - its rice crops. Yet, this revelation isn't deterring the government from seeking new coal deposits outside of the country, or plans to further privatise its domestic resources.