Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Environment and Forests Paryavaran Bhavan CGO Complex, Lodhi Road New Delhi - 110 003 India Minister Jairam Ramesh Dear Minister If Vedanta Resources are allowed to mine the Dongria Kondh's sacred mountain, their lives will be changed forever. Under the Indian 'Forest Rights Act', the Dongria Kondh have rights over the forest they live in, but these rights are being ignored by Vedanta, and by the Orissa government. 2008-08-12T19:21:47+01:00 0 0 Please write to the Minister of Environment and Forests, urging him to uphold the Dongria Kondh's rights and safeguard their future. 62 0 en_en 3 Orissa, India 0 dongria 0 0 0 I am deeply concerned for the Dongria Kondh people of Niyamgiri in Orissa, India, whose land and future are threatened by Vedanta Resources’ and the Orissa government’s plan to mine their sacred mountain for bauxite. Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, the Dongria Kondh have rights to use and protect parts of Niyamgiri. Vedanta’s mining project has completely ignored these rights, as have the clearances already issued by your ministry. I also understand that Vedanta needed to get all the necessary clearances for the mine within a period of five years, which they have failed to do. All clearances for the project are therefore void and your ministry should revoke them. I strongly urge you to order an immediate halt to the mining project, and to ensure that the Dongria Kondh’s rights are determined and enforced before the company is allowed to apply again for a mining licence. the Dongria Kondh dongria 3 211 2009-10-20T17:47:33+01:00 0