Jairam Ramesh
- Minister of State for Environment and Forests
Paryavaran Bhavan,
CGO Complex,
Fax: + 91 11 2436 2222
Dear Minister,
I am concerned about the impacts of the planned mining in the Niyamgiri Hills by a subsidiary company of UK-based Vedanta
Resources PLC and the Orissa Mining Corporation. The project threatens the Dongria Kondh’s traditional way
of life for whom the Niyamgiri Hills are not only
sacred but also a key livelihood source.
I am also concerned about the six-fold expansion plan for the refinery
in Lanjigarh and its impacts on the human rights of
the Majhi Kondh and other
marginalised communities.
Both mining and refinery-expansion plans have ignored community
concerns, flouted state and national regulatory frameworks and failed to adhere
to accepted international standards and principles in relation to the human
rights impact of business.
I urge you to:
* Ensure that free, prior and informed consent of the Dongria Kondhs is obtained before
granting clearance to mining in the Niyamgiri Hills.
* Undertake an independent and impartial human rights and environmental
impact assessment of the proposed refinery-expansion; ensuring genuine
consultation with all those whose rights may be affected by the project.
* Ensure that clearance for the expansion of the refinery is given only
after existing human rights and environmental concerns with the refinery are
adequately addressed.
Sincerely,
______________________________