Dongria Kondh lesson
Some where in the northeast, along the hills of orissa the indegenous tribals inhabitat. A mere population of 8000 people could muster courage to fight for their rights. It was not a one day affair,the epic battle was many years long,recently saw some light when the tribal gram sabha had their say for Vendanta Bauxite minig survival.
Internationally the tribal movement for protecting their habitat, was drawing parallel comparisons to Humanoids of movie Avatar,trying to protect the "tree of souls". Dongria Kondh tribals plight was to protect their Niyamagiri hill diety,where they believe he resides,place where around alluminium refinery of Orissa mining company and Vendata maining joint venture was taking off. These tribals respect for rivers streams,forest and especially the holy palce where their god resides was prime motive to struggle stop mining around the hills.
Tribal displacements are not new here, owing the problem of Naxalism in tribal belts the need of hour is to sustainably rehabilitate the tribals and provide ownership for the forest produce to some extent.
The Joint forest policy,forest rights act recognition and Panchayat extension of scheduled areas where few steps to share the trade benefits of forest produce with the indegenous people who are instrumental in bringing up forest cover,protect them to some extent. Albeit mining being state subject the state rules vary from time to time to negate the rights of these people,rights have been denied.
Commitee to study impact of mining, Environment imapact assessment, to an extent assess the after effects of mining in terms of pollution,green auditing,loss of forest cover, loss of biodiversity etc. But the recent supreme court verdict to consider the say of gram sabha in the surrounding area of Niyamagiri hills,before the environment ministry takes a final call on Vedanta mining company is the right move respecting the cultural and religious rights of the Kondh tribals,which is priceless cannot be covered in any assessments.
Now all the 12 gram sabha have said a big no for mining in their dwelling areas,such a united stand for the cause of environment though it comes through their respect for diety Niyama deva is great. And the Supreme court judgement for considering people say in these sensitive matter has set a precedent, for the vulnerable rights movement across country who voices are unheard and their struggle are unending.
As long as such judgement give voice to the poor,helpless, where in the most vulnerable people who have not tasted fruits of development,there lives a long living hope for Democracy. The lesson taught by Dongria kondh people,jolted the Multinational mining company which should not take the indegenous people around for granted.
Internationally the tribal movement for protecting their habitat, was drawing parallel comparisons to Humanoids of movie Avatar,trying to protect the "tree of souls". Dongria Kondh tribals plight was to protect their Niyamagiri hill diety,where they believe he resides,place where around alluminium refinery of Orissa mining company and Vendata maining joint venture was taking off. These tribals respect for rivers streams,forest and especially the holy palce where their god resides was prime motive to struggle stop mining around the hills.
Tribal displacements are not new here, owing the problem of Naxalism in tribal belts the need of hour is to sustainably rehabilitate the tribals and provide ownership for the forest produce to some extent.
The Joint forest policy,forest rights act recognition and Panchayat extension of scheduled areas where few steps to share the trade benefits of forest produce with the indegenous people who are instrumental in bringing up forest cover,protect them to some extent. Albeit mining being state subject the state rules vary from time to time to negate the rights of these people,rights have been denied.
Commitee to study impact of mining, Environment imapact assessment, to an extent assess the after effects of mining in terms of pollution,green auditing,loss of forest cover, loss of biodiversity etc. But the recent supreme court verdict to consider the say of gram sabha in the surrounding area of Niyamagiri hills,before the environment ministry takes a final call on Vedanta mining company is the right move respecting the cultural and religious rights of the Kondh tribals,which is priceless cannot be covered in any assessments.
Now all the 12 gram sabha have said a big no for mining in their dwelling areas,such a united stand for the cause of environment though it comes through their respect for diety Niyama deva is great. And the Supreme court judgement for considering people say in these sensitive matter has set a precedent, for the vulnerable rights movement across country who voices are unheard and their struggle are unending.
As long as such judgement give voice to the poor,helpless, where in the most vulnerable people who have not tasted fruits of development,there lives a long living hope for Democracy. The lesson taught by Dongria kondh people,jolted the Multinational mining company which should not take the indegenous people around for granted.
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