The Guardian covers the Niyamgiri story with a nice video on its website. Please see
Kundan
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Industrialisation and Mining Update, Orissa for March-April 2009
Industrialisation and Mining Update, Orissa for March-April 2009
Please find the latest Industrialisation and Mining Update, Orissa for March-April 2009.
This issue contains an editorial on river pollution in Orissa and a short status of mineral
deposits and exploitation in Orissa. It also contains the information of grant of forest and
environmental clearances in the last two months.
Regards
Kundan
Friday, May 15, 2009
Shaheed (Martyrs)
"Shaheed" A small film on the Monthly Video Magazine Madhyantara
Samadrusti's monthly magazine Madhyantara has been made available on youtube and includes this interesting documentary film on the struggles around displacement.
A number of other videos from Samadrusti are now available for viewing at http://www.youtube.com/user/Samadrusti.
These include the following videos
Why life in
Villagers in Jagatsingpur, Orissa invent a new way to light the evening lamp..
and many others
Regards
Kundan
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The Farce of Public Hearings for Environmental Assessment
Public Hearing or Public FarceThose NROs and wellwishers of Orissa who imagine "development" of Orissa through extractive industrialisation should have attended the public hearing for environmental clearance forexpansion of the Lanjigarh refinery of Vedanta. They might have had the first hand opportunity of experiencing the farce of "environmental regulation" in our dear state.
Vedanta is already operating an alumina refinery at Lanjigarh. In various reports of OSPCB and in petitions and complaints filed by local people, it becomes clear that this refinery has created environmental havoc in the area, polluting Vamshadhara river and making life extremely difficult for local people. The picture on the left shows toxic water and ash being dumped into Vamshadhara river from the factory. The pollution has caused sickness amongst local people and death of cattle. People who take bath in the river develop strange skin infections. Smoke and noise from the refinery pervades the area.
Now Vedanta wants to expand the refinery to 6 million tonnes, a fourfold increase in size. The public hearing was called for getting local people's opinions about the proposed expansion- this is a requirement under law for environmental clearance.
We have managed to get hold of the Official proceedings of this public hearing. It concludes by saying "The overall opinion of the public about the project was favorable provided the proponent takes care of their issues."
However, when one examines even the official proceedings in details, it becomes clear that almost everyone present opposed Vedanta's refinery project. Please find the proceedings copy here
The most eloquent denunciation was by Lado Majhi, a Dongaria Kondh, who even in the truncated version presented in the official proceedings said that Donagrias will never allow Niyamgiri mountain to be mined. You can find his speech at the Public hearing with english subtitles at http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=79265951607&oid=31785088220&ref=mf
Others pointed out the pollution and difficulties caused by the alumina plant. Please read the proceedings to appreciate the anger and angst that has been caused by Vedanta's action. The 27th speaker, Giridhar Patra, mentioned some of the local goons who have been supporting Vedanta by name, and that led to a fracas where these goons, in full view of the administration officials, literally dragged Mr. Patra off the stage. The public hearing couldn't be completed due to this disturbance - however the Chairperson of the hearing deemed the public hearing as concluded. Please see the video of Mr. Patra being removed from the stage at http://www.youtube.com/user/niyamgiri
Thus we have strong opposition to the project, a public hearing "concluded" beacuse of disturbance, use of local goons to intimidate speakers - and yet the final result - overall opinion of the people was favorable for the project. In case this was the official outcome of the public hearing, then why hold it at all. Why the farce?
My NRO friends, who talk about democracy and development, need to see this to understand how democracy is being subverted by certain "type of development".
Kundan
BBC covers Orissa's iron ore exports
A thick haze clouds the horizon as rich red dust is poured down. As more of the fine granules of iron ore arrive on loud, rumbling conveyor belts, the loading machine scoops up large quantities to drop into the open hatch of the waiting ship. This is like gold in these parts. This may look like any other busy sea dock in India. But on India's iron ore rich eastern coast, Paradip port is a vital link to global markets. Every month, millions of tonnes of iron ore are exported from here - bringing in much-needed cash and turning the region into a vibrant commercial hub. The question is whether in one of India's poorest regions, some people are being left behind. Chinese connection The Paradip port is a gateway into India's source of mineral wealth, spread across the three eastern states of Orissa, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh.
Nearly 80-90% of India's iron ore is exported to China, and this accounts for at least 80 million tonnes of cargo every year. The bulk of this goes through Paradip. So despite the global economic slowdown, the port has handled all-time record traffic this year. The port's chairman, K Raghuramaiah says this is mainly due to the location advantage the port enjoys. Being so close to China and the rest of East Asia gives them access to some of the best global markets, he says. "We are forecasting much more cargo coming our way, so the port's capacity to handle cargo needs to increase," he adds. "The cargo traffic here has doubled in the past six years. Dredging operations are already taking place to deepen the port and we also plan to add more berths to increase their capacity. "Since the demand is going up, and we have the ideal infrastructure in place to cater to it - we hope to handle 100 million tonnes of cargo by 2016. We are getting ready for that." | ||||
While Orissa has managed to tap into its location advantage and natural resources - it hasn't included the people who need it most 
Monday, May 11, 2009
The lament of Niyamraja
First of all, I want to apologize for being off the web for almost a month.
I am so glad that I found the "Lament of Niyamraja" on the web. Thank you Surya.
This is one of the most moving songs I have ever come across. Please see this. The song tells the story of Niyamraja, Niyamgiri and the impending sense of loss of Niyamgiri due to mining. The brilliant bard is Dambu Praska, a dongaria kondh.
Translation of some of the words of the song:
"Niyamraja was the youngest; he ruled the mountains and the streams'
He had to go through a test first, no one else knows this story....
No one knows this story
I will sing,
I will sing why the outsiders must spare our land...
Niyamraja is crying today,
Th hills will turn into mud,
The rocks will crumble and everyone will die...
Will there be any rivers left if there are no streams,
Will there be any streams left if there are no hills....
How will everyone come to know of Niyamraja's miracle,
If Niyamgiri will not be there
I will sing, I will sing...
What will we do without the fruits, grains and buffaloes,
What will we do without Niyamgiri...
What will the animals do without the big forests,
What will we do without the plants that save lives."
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
What is really happening at Lanjigarh?
Vedanta's Press Release Dept has been hyper active and over imaginative in the last few months. They have been harping about the development they have brought in to Lanjigarh - a sharp contrast to reality where people have developed skin diseases. Last week there was a huge agitation by villagers in Lanjigarh which most of the mainstream media didn't report. The following article appeared on 13 April 08 in the Hindu.
Regards
Surya
Source: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/04/13/stories/2009041355490900.htm
In Kalahandi, battle for livelihood trumps war for votes
Siddharth Varadarajan
An open challenge to those who speak of development as an inclusive process.
Of all the disconnects between the economic ‘base’ and political ‘superstructure’ of Indian electoral alliances, none is more glaring than the tie-up between the Biju Janata Dal of Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and the Left-inspired Third Front. For even as the Left has made the anti-people neo-liberal policies of the Manmohan Singh government at the Centre the target of its nationwide campaign, Mr. Patnaik remains firmly wedded to one of the most predatory forms of extractive capitalism anywhere in India.
Three-cornered fight
Here in Kalahandi, all the promises and pitfalls of this model are on open display, dividing its victims and hope-filled beneficiaries, suborning the institutions of the state and throwing an open challenge to those who speak of development as an inclusive process. Lanjigarh is today frontier country and what happens here tomorrow, after the elections and beyond, will likely determine the direction India takes. The election is essentially a three-cornered fight between the sitting BJP MP, Bikram Keshari Deo, Congress stalwart and former MP Bhakta Charan Das and Subhas Chandra Nayak of the BJD. But the polls mask a more bitter and fundamental contest. On one side is the political clout and financial muscle of a powerful business house — the Indian-owned MNC, Vedanta — which established a massive aluminum refinery here in 2006 and is pushing for the immediate commencement of bauxite mining in the picturesque and ecologically-fragile Niyamgiri hills which ring this small town. And on the other, thousands of local tribals and non-tribals, who say the mining project will completely destroy their lives.
In Chhatarpur and Bandiguda right next to the refinery, and villages elsewhere, local residents openly express their preference for the ‘haath’ of the Congress. Mr. Das has been vocal in his opposition to Vedanta and his supporters have actively taken part in the struggles of the villagers and were also involved in a major case against the mining project in the Supreme Court. Despite the court-mandated Centrally Empowered Commission coming out against the Niyamgiri project on environmental grounds, the SC gave the green signal last year, overturning a plea by the Dongria Kondhas who live on the hill that their livelihood and religious rights would be destroyed once mining begins. It is not just the Dongrias who say the hill is sacred. “Niyamgiri belongs to Niyam raja,” Bhima Majhi of Turiguda, a Kondha, told The Hindu. “We worship him up there and in our village. And because of him, the hill gives all of us everything we need — food, water, forest products.” These sentiments appear to be shared by virtually everyone cutting across caste, tribe and even class lines. “Niyamgiri is our life”, Niranjan Acharya, an Ayurvedic doctor and activist said. Once it is gone, we will have nothing”.
With both the BJD and BJP strongly defending Vedanta, the fight, at least around Lanjigarh, seems to favour Congress. But Kalahandi is a large constituency. In the district headquarters of Bhawanipatna, opinion is divided on the bauxite project but most people this reporter spoke to said they expected the region to benefit in the long run. Local traders said sales had increased since the refinery was set up but also said the endless stream of trucks running into and out of Lanjigarh had ruined the local highway. Even in town, though, many seemed inclined to vote for Bhakta Charan Das in spite of his opposition to Vedanta, mostly out of fatigue towards having the same MP representing them since 1998. But for the Assembly, urban residents spoke highly of Mr. Patnaik and the BJD.
Vedanta claims that its project will bring benefits to the population around Lanjigarh, a claim belied by the absence of employment for locals and mounting environment-related problems the refinery itself has generated. As part of its contribution to local welfare, the company built a 20-bed ward for the local government hospital. When this correspondent visited it, the ward seemed unused. Dr. Debashish Ray said Vedanta had built the ward but neither it nor the government had provided any extra staff or facilities like quarters. “I would say Vedanta has made no contribution here,” said Dr. Nagendra Rajsamukh, another resident physician. Both doctors said the refinery had led to an increase in the incidence of skin and respiratory diseases because of water and dust pollution. “From afar, everything seems OK,” said Dr. Ray. “But only those who live here know what it is like.”
Even before the mining has started — a process the locals say will lead to water streams from the hill getting choked — the large red mud pond Vedanta has built near its plant has already cut off water to dozens of acres of farm land. And in village after village, this reporter saw residents with skin ailments and heard of an increase in TB. Govind Majhi, a 15-year-old boy in Bandiguda, held out a blistered hand that he said was caused by bathing in a polluted nali. “If a neta’s son falls ill, Vedanta will even fly him by helicopter,” said a villager. “But for us, there is nothing.”
Asked about the promised jobs, Mukta Harijan, a wisened but sprightly Dalit woman in Chhatrapur pointed to the scores of young men standing around. “Most of the work is being done by people from outside. When our youth ask for work, the security guards demand a gate-pass and turn them away.” Villagers said that whenever they try to protest, the police quickly move in. In Bellamba, locals said three villagers — Manglu Majhi, Hari Majhi and Dhanurjay Patra — were still in jail three months after being arrested for taking part in a peaceful dharna.
“Vedanta tells people in Delhi, ‘we have given everything — electricity, roads clinics,’ but they have done nothing,” said Doisingh Majhi of Bellamba. In Kendu Bardia, Kumti Majhi, a local leader of the anti-Vedanta movement, told me about how villagers last week managed to stop the construction of a conveyor belt that will be used to bring bauxite down from Niyamgiri once the mining starts. “They will try again after the elections and the police and administration will back them,” he said, “but we will continue to resist.” Niyamgiri, he said, was not the property of the government and the courts had no power to hand it over to Vedanta. “The hills belong to the adivasis and we are not going to let go.”
Regards
Surya
Source: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/04/13/stories/2009041355490900.htm
In Kalahandi, battle for livelihood trumps war for votes
Siddharth Varadarajan
An open challenge to those who speak of development as an inclusive process.
Of all the disconnects between the economic ‘base’ and political ‘superstructure’ of Indian electoral alliances, none is more glaring than the tie-up between the Biju Janata Dal of Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and the Left-inspired Third Front. For even as the Left has made the anti-people neo-liberal policies of the Manmohan Singh government at the Centre the target of its nationwide campaign, Mr. Patnaik remains firmly wedded to one of the most predatory forms of extractive capitalism anywhere in India.
Three-cornered fight
Here in Kalahandi, all the promises and pitfalls of this model are on open display, dividing its victims and hope-filled beneficiaries, suborning the institutions of the state and throwing an open challenge to those who speak of development as an inclusive process. Lanjigarh is today frontier country and what happens here tomorrow, after the elections and beyond, will likely determine the direction India takes. The election is essentially a three-cornered fight between the sitting BJP MP, Bikram Keshari Deo, Congress stalwart and former MP Bhakta Charan Das and Subhas Chandra Nayak of the BJD. But the polls mask a more bitter and fundamental contest. On one side is the political clout and financial muscle of a powerful business house — the Indian-owned MNC, Vedanta — which established a massive aluminum refinery here in 2006 and is pushing for the immediate commencement of bauxite mining in the picturesque and ecologically-fragile Niyamgiri hills which ring this small town. And on the other, thousands of local tribals and non-tribals, who say the mining project will completely destroy their lives.
In Chhatarpur and Bandiguda right next to the refinery, and villages elsewhere, local residents openly express their preference for the ‘haath’ of the Congress. Mr. Das has been vocal in his opposition to Vedanta and his supporters have actively taken part in the struggles of the villagers and were also involved in a major case against the mining project in the Supreme Court. Despite the court-mandated Centrally Empowered Commission coming out against the Niyamgiri project on environmental grounds, the SC gave the green signal last year, overturning a plea by the Dongria Kondhas who live on the hill that their livelihood and religious rights would be destroyed once mining begins. It is not just the Dongrias who say the hill is sacred. “Niyamgiri belongs to Niyam raja,” Bhima Majhi of Turiguda, a Kondha, told The Hindu. “We worship him up there and in our village. And because of him, the hill gives all of us everything we need — food, water, forest products.” These sentiments appear to be shared by virtually everyone cutting across caste, tribe and even class lines. “Niyamgiri is our life”, Niranjan Acharya, an Ayurvedic doctor and activist said. Once it is gone, we will have nothing”.
With both the BJD and BJP strongly defending Vedanta, the fight, at least around Lanjigarh, seems to favour Congress. But Kalahandi is a large constituency. In the district headquarters of Bhawanipatna, opinion is divided on the bauxite project but most people this reporter spoke to said they expected the region to benefit in the long run. Local traders said sales had increased since the refinery was set up but also said the endless stream of trucks running into and out of Lanjigarh had ruined the local highway. Even in town, though, many seemed inclined to vote for Bhakta Charan Das in spite of his opposition to Vedanta, mostly out of fatigue towards having the same MP representing them since 1998. But for the Assembly, urban residents spoke highly of Mr. Patnaik and the BJD.
Vedanta claims that its project will bring benefits to the population around Lanjigarh, a claim belied by the absence of employment for locals and mounting environment-related problems the refinery itself has generated. As part of its contribution to local welfare, the company built a 20-bed ward for the local government hospital. When this correspondent visited it, the ward seemed unused. Dr. Debashish Ray said Vedanta had built the ward but neither it nor the government had provided any extra staff or facilities like quarters. “I would say Vedanta has made no contribution here,” said Dr. Nagendra Rajsamukh, another resident physician. Both doctors said the refinery had led to an increase in the incidence of skin and respiratory diseases because of water and dust pollution. “From afar, everything seems OK,” said Dr. Ray. “But only those who live here know what it is like.”
Even before the mining has started — a process the locals say will lead to water streams from the hill getting choked — the large red mud pond Vedanta has built near its plant has already cut off water to dozens of acres of farm land. And in village after village, this reporter saw residents with skin ailments and heard of an increase in TB. Govind Majhi, a 15-year-old boy in Bandiguda, held out a blistered hand that he said was caused by bathing in a polluted nali. “If a neta’s son falls ill, Vedanta will even fly him by helicopter,” said a villager. “But for us, there is nothing.”
Asked about the promised jobs, Mukta Harijan, a wisened but sprightly Dalit woman in Chhatrapur pointed to the scores of young men standing around. “Most of the work is being done by people from outside. When our youth ask for work, the security guards demand a gate-pass and turn them away.” Villagers said that whenever they try to protest, the police quickly move in. In Bellamba, locals said three villagers — Manglu Majhi, Hari Majhi and Dhanurjay Patra — were still in jail three months after being arrested for taking part in a peaceful dharna.
“Vedanta tells people in Delhi, ‘we have given everything — electricity, roads clinics,’ but they have done nothing,” said Doisingh Majhi of Bellamba. In Kendu Bardia, Kumti Majhi, a local leader of the anti-Vedanta movement, told me about how villagers last week managed to stop the construction of a conveyor belt that will be used to bring bauxite down from Niyamgiri once the mining starts. “They will try again after the elections and the police and administration will back them,” he said, “but we will continue to resist.” Niyamgiri, he said, was not the property of the government and the courts had no power to hand it over to Vedanta. “The hills belong to the adivasis and we are not going to let go.”
Friday, April 03, 2009
Tornado in Rajkanika
It is with a heavy heart that I read the news reports as well as the listserve postings about the tornado and the havoc caused by it. It reminded me of the Supercyclone and the vulnerability of our people to natural disasters. Those how would like to know more about the situation in Rajakanika and want to help can get in touch with Ranjan Rout whose email is ranjankrout@gmail.com. He has been updating many of us through emails about the situation.
I worry that such extreme weather events are forecasted to rise with the increasing temperatures due to global warming. Orissa seems to an anamoly in the larger global warming scenario with much higher temperature increases than other areas.
Meanwhile, another company gets caught repeatedly violating environmental laws and this time the environmental regulator, the OSPCB, seems to have been active. We have uploaded the Report of OSPCB on Paradeep Phosphate Ltd. on the epgorissa website.
Regards
Kundan
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Films on Niyamgiri
There is a spate of wonderful documentaries on Niyamgiri, which has slowly emerged as a major issue in the international arena. Surya Dash, the budding new filmmaker from Orissa, has put his lovely 96 minute long documentary film Niyamgiri- The Mountain of Law on youtube (in sections) in full.
Survival International has made a beautiful vignette on Niyamgiri and Dongaria Kondhs. The film is called Mine: Story of a Sacred Mountain The film can be downloaded from the site.
Please see these movies. They are moving and they are very well made.
Survival International has made a beautiful vignette on Niyamgiri and Dongaria Kondhs. The film is called Mine: Story of a Sacred Mountain The film can be downloaded from the site.
Please see these movies. They are moving and they are very well made.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Himalayan plant species found in Eastern Ghats
First Published : 28 Mar 2009 09:58:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 28 Mar 2009 12:57:19 PM IST
BHUBANESWAR: A Plant, endemic to Himalayan region, has been spotted in the Eastern Ghats of Orissa leaving biologists puzzled. Corallodiscus batalin, the species, is known to grow at an altitude of 600 metres to 3600 metres above the sea level. In the past, the botanists recorded it in the Himalayas of North Eastern India and China. Recently, it was found by a researcher group in Similipadar hills under Karlapat range of Kalahandi. Strange but true. Lately, there have been many instances of plants ‘moving’ due to climatic change. If this is a case of climate change forcing movement of plants needs a debate and further research. Interestingly, the species was not only discovered in Eastern Ghats, it was also found in Western Ghats indicating its distribution to the peninsular India. Plant biologists have recorded at least 18 species of Corallodiscus batalin genus in China besides its occurrence in India. A team of plant biologists from Institute of Minerals and Metals Technology and North Orissa University (NOU) discovered the plant in Similipadar, according to Current Science. Interestingly, a magazine on traditional Himalayan healing herbs says that the species is used for kidney disorder in many parts of the world and has shown promising result in ailments. Plant biologist PK Dash said since the discovery extends the distribution of the species to peninsular India, it gives opportunities for scientists and researchers to explore the area for some more such findings which may come handy for modern drugs of herbal origin.
Climate Change: a triple whammy for third world Poor
I went to this interesting presentation on climate change yesterday, and that set me thinking about the basic injustice of climate change, specially when seen from the perspective of the common people of Orissa and India, and their oppressed brethren from across the world, who are not lucky enough to be living in developed countries or being the elite of their respective countries.
The developed countries (europeans/Americans/whites) exploited us for the last couple of centuries through colonisation, slavery, looting our societies while industrialising themselves. This they did with the help of the turncoat elites of our nations - many of whose descendents still lord it over us. And during their industrialisation, they belched billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Then as decolonisation took place, they, along with our elites felt that we needed to be developed - and so now our land, water, forests- all are being taken away for models of development which add to their wealth and wellbeing (and developing a small percentage of our population who seem to be doing much better). And this fossil fuel based development adds more carbon dioxide to the air.
And then we have climate change and global warming - because of all the CO2 that these people have put in the air while improving their life standards and driving their SUVs and cars. But look at the irony, it is our countries in the tropics which are going to become deserts or face massive floods, and its our water which is going to dry up with the dissappearing glaciers in the Himalayas and the Andes. And the poor are the vulnerable population who have no capacity to protect themselves from the ravages of global warming, who are going to die in millions and who are going to starve as food supplies become costlier because the rich people won't reduce meat in their diets and need bio-diesel for their cars.
And the carbon mitigation plans - based on markets and purchasing power- will convert all our cultivable land into carbon sink plantations and jatropha plantations - while the poor starve and live in hunger, and try to migrate - and start killing each other- while fortress Europe and Fortess America put walls around themselves so that environmental and climate refugees can't pour into their countries
The God/s, if there is one, has a real perverse sense of humor. Or a wicked sense of justice. He definitely seems to love the rich and the powerful and to dislike the poor. The poor don't inherit the earth - the rich and the powerful do.
The developed countries (europeans/Americans/whites) exploited us for the last couple of centuries through colonisation, slavery, looting our societies while industrialising themselves. This they did with the help of the turncoat elites of our nations - many of whose descendents still lord it over us. And during their industrialisation, they belched billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Then as decolonisation took place, they, along with our elites felt that we needed to be developed - and so now our land, water, forests- all are being taken away for models of development which add to their wealth and wellbeing (and developing a small percentage of our population who seem to be doing much better). And this fossil fuel based development adds more carbon dioxide to the air.
And then we have climate change and global warming - because of all the CO2 that these people have put in the air while improving their life standards and driving their SUVs and cars. But look at the irony, it is our countries in the tropics which are going to become deserts or face massive floods, and its our water which is going to dry up with the dissappearing glaciers in the Himalayas and the Andes. And the poor are the vulnerable population who have no capacity to protect themselves from the ravages of global warming, who are going to die in millions and who are going to starve as food supplies become costlier because the rich people won't reduce meat in their diets and need bio-diesel for their cars.
And the carbon mitigation plans - based on markets and purchasing power- will convert all our cultivable land into carbon sink plantations and jatropha plantations - while the poor starve and live in hunger, and try to migrate - and start killing each other- while fortress Europe and Fortess America put walls around themselves so that environmental and climate refugees can't pour into their countries
The God/s, if there is one, has a real perverse sense of humor. Or a wicked sense of justice. He definitely seems to love the rich and the powerful and to dislike the poor. The poor don't inherit the earth - the rich and the powerful do.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Vedanta and Lanjgarh children's education: the story of Kile Majhi
A few home truths by our esteemed friend Xavier Dias expose the web of lies and propaganda spun by the corporate public relations. At issue is a press report (no doubt greased by corporate PR office) of Vedanta's fulfilling its Corporate Social responsibility (I do love the elegant acronym CSR) which was put on Jharkhand listserv.
The post by Ashok Paikray, which apparently is taken from some news report is revealing in so many ways. A four year old Dongaria Kondh kid learning english rhymes sponsored by a corporation which seeks to destroy the home of his gods. I am sure anthropologists could write reams about this strange intersection between corporations, cultures, languages, donagrias and sacred landscapes.
Kundan
The first post by Ashok Paikray:
Lanjigarh:27/March/2009
Kile Majhi, (4) is on learning mode.
He is reciting English rhymes and identifying the numbers.
Six months earlier, he was not so lucky enough to think about education and school.
But now the boy of the vanishing tribe of Dongria Kondh goes to the newly opened Child Care Centre (CCC) set up and run by the Sterlite Foundation, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources in his village.
And he is very happy now because, unlike children in neighboring villages he does not have to go to the jungles.
However, after opening of the CCC, the residents of this tribal village could feel the difference, after sixty two years of Independence.
“We are illiterate and same were also our forefathers.
We are very thankful to Vedanta Company for responding to our cause.
Now our children can receive education in this school.” Says Chanchala Naik, Naib-Sarapanch, Trilochanpur GP.
For them the CCC is a school, as they receive basic education and training.
35 children, mostly from Dongria Kondh community are studying in this centre.
In order to encourage the children for education and also to minimize the burden on their parents, the CCC provides dress, books and teaching and learning materials free of cost.
Besides, the children were also taught about sports, games, singing and dancing.
Nutritional food such as egg, rice, dal and vegetables are given to the children.
The students of the peripheral villages of Lanjigarh are immensely being benefited out of these child care centers of Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL) in the area.
Dr. Mukesh Kumar, CEO, VAL has all along harped on the peripheral development of the areas in and around the project.
“Health of our children has also improved, after joining the school. Being a tribal village, Phuldumer was completely ignored by the Government,” says Ratu Majhi another tribal leader.
“The response by children and villagers is excellent. The children come to the Centre neat and clean,” adds Gita Pattnaik, a teacher of the centre.
Earlier there was not an education facility available in the village.
The nearest school is at Trilochanpur, five kilometer away from the village.
“As forest comes in the way, it is risky to send our child to the school,” said Shringa Majhi.
So, all of the children preferred to go to forest, rather than to schools.
All the parents vow that they will send their children to primary schools, after completion of their education in Centre, said he.
Kile Majhi, (4) is on learning mode.
He is reciting English rhymes and identifying the numbers.
Six months earlier, he was not so lucky enough to think about education and school.
But now the boy of the vanishing tribe of Dongria Kondh goes to the newly opened Child Care Centre (CCC) set up and run by the Sterlite Foundation, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources in his village.
And he is very happy now because, unlike children in neighboring villages he does not have to go to the jungles.
However, after opening of the CCC, the residents of this tribal village could feel the difference, after sixty two years of Independence.
“We are illiterate and same were also our forefathers.
We are very thankful to Vedanta Company for responding to our cause.
Now our children can receive education in this school.” Says Chanchala Naik, Naib-Sarapanch, Trilochanpur GP.
For them the CCC is a school, as they receive basic education and training.
35 children, mostly from Dongria Kondh community are studying in this centre.
In order to encourage the children for education and also to minimize the burden on their parents, the CCC provides dress, books and teaching and learning materials free of cost.
Besides, the children were also taught about sports, games, singing and dancing.
Nutritional food such as egg, rice, dal and vegetables are given to the children.
The students of the peripheral villages of Lanjigarh are immensely being benefited out of these child care centers of Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL) in the area.
Dr. Mukesh Kumar, CEO, VAL has all along harped on the peripheral development of the areas in and around the project.
“Health of our children has also improved, after joining the school. Being a tribal village, Phuldumer was completely ignored by the Government,” says Ratu Majhi another tribal leader.
“The response by children and villagers is excellent. The children come to the Centre neat and clean,” adds Gita Pattnaik, a teacher of the centre.
Earlier there was not an education facility available in the village.
The nearest school is at Trilochanpur, five kilometer away from the village.
“As forest comes in the way, it is risky to send our child to the school,” said Shringa Majhi.
So, all of the children preferred to go to forest, rather than to schools.
All the parents vow that they will send their children to primary schools, after completion of their education in Centre, said he.
Response by Xavier Dias
Dear Members of the Jharkhand list,
I think that such news items (below) should be circulated with a rider.
please do not let Corporations like Vedanta or Tata or any other fool us people especially us who use the internet!
Sincerely,
Xavier Dias
JMACC
I think that such news items (below) should be circulated with a rider.
- Under the Constitution of India primary and secondary education are mandatory and have to be provided by the State. When Corporations try to replace the job of the State we will have a situation which is presently causing the economic collaspe rooted in the USA free enterprise ideology. If States are not fulfilling their consitiutional responsibilities in Adivasi or Dalit areas it is not because they are corrupt or inefficient. It is because the Indian State its politicians and buerocracy are essentially racist. Secondly the education system itself is anti-ethnic minority and alienates the Adivasi from their culture.
- Sterlite or Vedanta or any other Corporation is not undertaking such programmes for the love of the people whose livelihood they have destroyed and left with no livelihood options.
- An Adivasi or tribe (sic) group does not vanish on their own. The use of the word vanish is not only incorrect but highly objectionable. Things vanish either due to their inert properties or influence by the athmosphere or for antroprogenic reasons. Why does a community that lived for centuries suddenly have to 'vanish'?
- Last but not least after expropriating all they possess, destroying and evicting them form their livelihoods, throwing them into a proleteriate class, this formal education is supposed to prepare them to fill in the 'job market' which thanks to corporations like Vedanta has actually vanished.
please do not let Corporations like Vedanta or Tata or any other fool us people especially us who use the internet!
Sincerely,
Xavier Dias
JMACC
Reflections on Non Resident Oriyas, specially of the USA variety
Like the rest of India, many of our better off Oriya brothers have moved to easier and more lucrative careers abroad. We have a thriving NRO community with a number of common platforms and listserves. Most of them, specially the first generation NROs who grew up in Orissa, are deeply concerned about Orissa, and many of them try to put their concern into concrete terms, both through words and actions. Due to their intellectual and financial capacities they also have a deep influence on Orissa's fate - this is no different from the relationship between diasporas and their original homeplaces.
Living in developed countries, many of the NROs seem to feel extremely uncomfortable, and probably humiliated that their ancestral home is so backward and poor. If they had the capacity, they would transform Orissa into California or Taiwan or South Korea in a generation. Some even seem to prefer the fate of China for Orissa rather than continue in the current situation. They want to see Orissa "developed". I appreciate their concern for the state.
Unfortunately, they would like to develop Orissa like the "USA", but seem to be unwilling to share the same enthusiasm about democratic, human and citizen's rights that USA confers on its citizens (and not to rest of the world). In their impatience to develop Orissa, they almost seem to subscribe to a semi-fascist and authoritarian state.
One particular gentleman who has come back to develop Orissa (I wonder if it is fulltime or parttime) has specially strong opinions. In his opinion it is stupid to block economic development because of environmental reasons. I am not sure what he means by economic development - maybe he is thinking of the russian roulette that the Wall Street played with derivatives and CDS; or of the financial flows and ebbs across the world which have provided corporate entities like Vedanta with enough capital to purchase our democracy itself. As far as I know, he is going to turn the whole agriculture in Orissa into hydroponics, which, along with GMOs, is something he touts to the poor farmers of Orissa. Also, the anti GMO and anti-vaccine activists make him really angry.I like his blind faith in science- after all it is science and technology which gave us the atom bomb and the gas chambers of Auschwitz and Treblinka
I am also amazed at another Professor from a famous uinversity in USA who suggested that the Chief Minister use the police to ensure that land acquisition for the Vedanta university (promoted by our current favorite fatcat Shri Agarwal) proceed smoothly. I am sure he knows what that means - with his huge website on Orissa, he must be aware of Kalinganagar and Maikanch, where police were used to "smoothen the land acquisition process". If I know the people of Puri, I can imagine the same outcome if police is used to force the land acquisition. Does he think Orissa has become a province of China? I was amazed. Then I found that he doesn't even know the basics about the Land Acquisition process in India. I went to his website (appreciate his genuine efforts at many things which will help Orissa). But with this twisted, undemocratic notion of development- he has one section called "Exposing Anti Orissa Growth Scheme". Two major entries relate to the Kalinganagar movement and the POSCO movement, depicting these as being the part of a larger conspiracy against Orissa. My own suggestion to this gentleman that he should shift with his family and baggage and settle down in either the hexavalent chromium polluted area in Sukinda or in the midst of the coal mines in Talcher or Belpahar or below the red mud pond of Vedanta. With this he will set an example for all the people affected by environmental pollution in Orissa to grin it and bear it.
There is another NRO- a whole hearted supporter of Sangha Parivar. You can get a taste of his taste by looking at the Jharkhand listserve. He loves baiting environmentalists and so called social activists - but his lack of knowledge of Orissa and India is even more apparent than others. His love for fascistic tendencies is quite apparent though.
On more serious note - diasporas, specially those who have access to both finances and knowledge, can deeply influence their places of origin. In India we have had both good and bad influences. Even in Orissa we have had very good initiatives by NROs, including by gentlemen mentioned above. However they must also learn more about their state and its ethos and have greater respect for democracy and democratic processes. Orissa will not be Singapore or China - its people have a deep fortitude and patience - but they also love their land too much to allow it to be despoiled by a greedy, extraction based industrialisation financed by international finance capital, which externalises all its environmental costs for profits.
There are NROs who understand this, and are sensitive to the contexts of Orissa, and the needs of our common people. I think the main difference is in the manner one views and understand the notion of development and its relationships with democracy and human rights.
Regards
Kundan
There are NROs who understand this, and are sensitive to the contexts of Orissa, and the needs of our common people. I think the main difference is in the manner one views and understand the notion of development and its relationships with democracy and human rights.
Regards
Kundan
World Indigenous People want halt to mining, other extractive projects in their habitats
March 26, 2009
World Indigenous Peoples want global moratorium on mining, other extractive projects
MANILA, Philippines -- The united voice of the Indigenous Peoples yesterday swept from continent to continent in 37 countries calling on their respective governments to stop large-scale mining and other extractive activities (oil and gas projects) on their indigenous lands until effective measures to safeguard their rights and the environment are in place.
The call for a global moratorium on extractive projects for oil, gold, gas and other mineral resources also includes a demand that World Bank must stop funding transnational mining companies in their effort to exploit the world’s natural resources.
This is among their collective calls contained in the final Declaration that is set to be submitted to the United Nations, multilateral banks and government officials who will be attending the International Expert Workshop on Indigenous Peoples Rights, Corporate Accountability and Extractive Industries at the Legend Villas in Mandaluyong City on March 27-29, 2009.
According to Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, a Kankana-ey from the Cordillera and the current chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) that following the growing and alarming reports by indigenous peoples against extractive industries, a recommendation was adopted during the 7th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), which authorized a three-day international expert group workshop on indigenous peoples’ rights, corporate accountability and the extractive industries and requested that the results of the meeting be reported to the Permanent Forum at its 8th Session, on 18-29 May 2009. The UNPFII s an advisory body to the Economic and Social Council, with a mandate to discuss indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights. .
“We call for a moratorium on further extractive industry projects that may affect us, until structures and processes are in place that will ensure respect for our human rights. The determination of when this can be realized can only be made by those communities whose lives, livelihoods and environment are affected by extractive activities,” they said. Further, stronger mechanisms should be enforced to fight the indiscriminate practices of extractive industries, which they said are often ignored or intentionally allowed by their respective governments.
They want the World Bank to immediately stop financing transnational mining companies and commence phasing out of its funding, promotion and support for fossil fuel- related projects, including large-scale mining projects. “The World Bank must provide a timeline to end such funding,” the declaration said.
One provision in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) -- the free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) -- poses serious disagreement with the World Bank, as the latter has not accepted such and instead coined and followed its own words to read: “free, prior and informed consultation.” This, the Indigenous Peoples said, has been used by the World Bank and the transnational mining companies to skirt the law and push through with the extractive activities. They said that “consent and consultation” are two different words and each has distinct meaning. The UNDRIP is the latest international agreement adopted by the UN General Assembly and signed by 143 countries in September 13, 2007.
“We want to request that UN to establish procedures which provide indigenous communities with the opportunity to request the relevant UN agencies to assist them in the monitoring and provision of independent information on FPIC processes,” they said.
In the Philippines,” free, prior and informed consent” is also embodied in the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997.
They added that World Bank Group must update its operational directives and safeguard policies with regard to indigenous peoples and adopt the UNDRIP provision of free, prior and informed consent in all the WB assisted mining projects,
Indigenous lands around the world are facing massive threats from the influx of extractive industries, which the indigenous delegates to this second international conference claimed have appalling records of environmental destructions and violations of human rights of the indigenous peoples.
The 85 delegates from 37 countries said they demand compensation for damages inflicted upon their lands and lives, and the rehabilitation of their degraded environments caused by extractive industries.
As extractive industries invades indigenous lands, countless of violent incidents are happening around the world, which is the reason why the delegates are proposing to create an international indigenous criminal court that would address this kind of problem, including the loss of lives as a result of indiscriminate mining committed by transnational mining firms, and whose “decisions will be based on our customary laws.”
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Discussion on Dhamra Port, Gahirmatha and Turtles
There is an interesting exchange going on the nathistory listserve on the Dhamara project of the TATAs and its impact on turtles and their nesting ground in Gahirmatha. Amlan Dutta, who was earlier with Wildlife Institute at Dehradun, is now working with Dhamra Port Company Ltd., and therefore questioning those who claim that the Dhamra Port will be harmful for the turtle rookery at Gahiramatha.
Arribada refers to the mass nesting of turtles
Please read on:
We just got the news that the first wave of arribada happened saturday night, and according to forest dept sources 75000 turtles have nested. The details are not very clear but initial reports suggest that nesting happened in Nasi I.
Last year when arribada didn't happen many voices were raised on dredging of dhamra port having affected turtles, while the truth is average reproductive effort of a female olive ridley is 4 years, i.e. in other words a female turtle comes to nest once only in 4 years, it takes that much time for the egg folicles to develop and make the pan-oceanic trip worthwhile for the females,, while the males do come to mate every year, so if arribada has not happened doesnt mean that the dredging of last year and this year caused some disturbances,, it would have been something which took place 4 years ago, and the fact is arribada didnt take place in many instances since the discovery of arribada in the 1970s ( Bustard, 1976 : Worldâ™s largest sea turtle rookery? Tigerpaper 3: 25) and these years are 1982, 1988, 1997, 1998 and 2002. (Kartik Shanker et. al. Biological Conservation 115 (2003) 149“160) was the dhamra dredging happening then??
Amlan Dutta wrote:
Dear Members,
We just got the news that the first wave of arribada happened saturday night, and according to forest dept sources 75000 turtles have nested. The details are not very clear but initial reports suggest that nesting happened in Nasi I.
Last year when arribada didn't happen many voices were raised on dredging of dhamra port having affected turtles, while the truth is average reproductive effort of a female olive ridley is 4 years, i.e. in other words a female turtle comes to nest once only in 4 years, it takes that much time for the egg folicles to develop and make the pan-oceanic trip worthwhile for the females,, while the males do come to mate every year, so if arribada has not happened doesnt mean that the dredging of last year and this year caused some disturbances,, it would have been something which took place 4 years ago, and the fact is arribada didnt take place in many instances since the discovery of arribada in the 1970s ( Bustard, 1976 : Worldâ™s largest sea turtle rookery? Tigerpaper 3: 25) and these years are 1982, 1988, 1997, 1998 and 2002. (Kartik Shanker et. al. Biological Conservation 115 (2003) 149“160) was the dhamra dredging happening then??
Amlan
The reponse from Sudarshan
Dear Amlan
I am sorry , but dredging is just one of the things that can have a impact on turtles . They are quite a few others issues -lighting , oil and cargo spills etc etc. However, more specifically and importantly - what about the more long term and perhaps permanent impacts such as erosion/shoreline changes on the turtles nesting habitat ( or the coastline in general for that matter) that the port can cause?. This is inevitable in any port -whatever be its design. Both the north and south of the port are sensitive habitat. Zero impact is a thermodynamic impossibility.
These issues ought to have been studied in the EIA and a Environment Management plan (EMP) and mitigation options explored within that. Please do not tell me the environment management plan is perfect and mitigation is being done! On what basis? An invalid EIA and environmental clearance. The legal validity of the EIA/ Environment clearance for Dhamra port is questionable, and the clearance in my opinion is NULL and VOID.
The clearance / EIA is for the location on kanika sand banks ( an island ) but the Dhamra port is on mainland and is moreover FOUR times the size now ! The table below illustrates it better – its clearly a case of apples and oranges
ISP Ltd( 1997) | Dhamra Port Company Limited No Fresh EIA or Environment Clearance |
On Kanika Sand Banks (9000 acres) Island 1200 acres on main land for port area 5000 acres for industrial park 3000 acres for Rail Road Alignment
EIA discarded mainland option | On Main Land (4013 acres for port 3000 acres for Rail Road) |
14 M depth 7 km long channel 120,000 DWT ships | 18 M depth, 18 km channel 180,000 DWT ships |
Capacity -25 Million tons per annum | Capacity -83 Million tons per annum |
50 million tones of dredging | 60 million tonnes of dredging for phase I alone |
2 berths | Phase I- 2 berths Total 13 berths |
There is a larger issue here as well - there are a total of 14 ports being developed/proposed along the Orrisa coastline of 480 km. That's one every 35 km.!!!1 including the ones at the other two important nesting sites near Devi and Rushikulya river mouth.
If the "environment due diligence" track record of the Dhamra Port Company Ltd. (DPCL) is anything to go by -i.e one that illustrates an example of how the govt. and a corporate makes a mockery and of environment laws and regulations, one can only wonder about the consequences and impacts of the other proposed port projects following similar footsteps!
One can rest be assured that the individual and cumulative impact of these ports on not just turtles but all coastal and shoreline biodiversity is likely to be devastating. This will also be the death knell for the livelihoods and settlements of millions of fisher folk who habitations and livelihoods are derived from the health of this coastal and marine biodiversity.
For readers who might be interested in the Dhamra port issue please read a the special issue on the Dhamra port at
http://www.seaturtle.org/mtn/
http://www.seaturtle.org/mtn/
regards
Sudarshan___________________________________________________________________
I am sure that this is going to get a strong reponse from the DPCL spokesman i.e. Amlan Dutta. I have had my own brush with him- I suppose his job with DPCL rests on ensuring effective greenwash.
It is also important to note that not only Amlan, but even IUCN is collaborating with the TATAs in greenwashing the Dhamra Port, which possibly is situated in the most incredibly sensitive location, close to Gahirmatha and next to the Bhittarkanika. I would like to thank Sudarshan for refuting the greenwash effort by Amlan Dutta.
Smitu Kothari passes away
This is terrible news- and one feels bereft and hurt that it is all the good people that leave us early. Though I didn't know him personally, but only through his work, his loss is terrible and wrenching.
Kundan
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Mine over Matter- report on mining in Keonjhar by the World Bank
Even the World Bank admits that mining in Keonjhar haven't been a boon for the local inhabitants. Based on detailed study of a large sample of villages in Keonjhar, using quantitative as well as spatial analysis, the study finds that "In terms of indicators of overall welfare, villages closer to mines have poorer health, education and production assets. These impacts are likely partly due to the impact of mines on forest quality. Proximity to mines is associated with reduced forest quality, as measured by the diversity of forest products available to village residents."
It also goes on to say "The villages closest to mines appear to bear a greater environmental cost".
We have uploaded a copy of the report on the epgorissa website.
Interesting political development in Orissa- activists float Lok Rajniti Manch
Activists float new party
The StatesmanBHUBANESWAR, March 23: Releasing a “people’s manifesto” and floating the Lok Rajniti Manch, leaders of various people's movements across the state led by Mr Prafulla Samantra, Mr Lingaraj and others, today exhorted voters to question candidates and political parties on issues relating to water and agriculture. Also, they urged the people to question where the parties were obtaining crores to spend in the elections.
The activists said they had decided to field candidates in some of the assembly constituencies to establish the power of the common man. Mr Lingaraj will contest the Bargarh assembly seat, while Mr Kishore Das will fight for the Morada assembly seat in Mayurbhanj district. A few other social activists involved in people's movements may also be nominated, said Mr Samantra.
Significantly, most of these activists have been leading anti-displacement, anti-mining and tribal cause-related movements in the state. Mr Lingaraj is widely known for his struggle against the indiscriminate allocation of Hirakud waters to industrial houses. The peasants' movement of which he was a leader has led to violence in recent times in Sambalpur region.
The activists issued a set of questions to the people, imploring them to ponder - and even grill - their political leaders.
Here are some of the questions proposed: Is CM Naveen Patnaik and his government clean? If so, how is it that crores are spent, even on municipal election campaigns? Which minister or MLA has not added to his property and wealth over the last nine years? Doesn’t the common man pay bribes at every office, be it the block, tehsil, revenue, police, forest office? Why does the 'land grab' include valuable agriculture land? What is the motive for taking over such fertile land, and who benefits from it?
The activists challenge the claims of development made by the BJD and point out the discrepancy between "claims that the state had progressed and developed, and the fact that the state had become one of the poorest state in the country". The added: "More than 80 per cent of people in rural areas of the state have a per capita daily income of less than Rs 19. How can this be called progress and development?"
"The MNC and the rich, the politician and his masters, are the only ones who have progressed and amassed wealth while the poor have become poorer and the farmer has been deprived of land and water," they said.
They also announced that each one of them would collect donations, moving around on bicycles to muster the required amount for contesting the election.
Call for alternative political force Staff Reporter, The Hindu
| “People’s manifesto” released |
http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/24/stories/2009032453460300.htm
BHUBANESWAR: A group of leaders spearheading agitations at the grassroots level on Monday released a people’s manifesto calling upon people to fight elections based on the programmes.
Coming together in a forum, Loka Rajaniti Manch (LRM), these leaders have vowed to make a difference in the way elections. The forum has decided to field candidates for two Assembly seats.
While Samajbadi Jana Parishad leader, Lingaraj, would file his nomination from Bargarh Assembly constituency, Kishore Das of Nabakranti Abhijan, would fight election in Morada Assembly constituency in Mayurbhanj district.
The LRP declared that people’s movement leaders would involve themselves in campaigning for the candidates who would come forward to accept people’s manifesto.
“We want to defeat forces who have been sponsored by corporate houses. The objective behind fighting elections is to build up an alternative political force, which would raise issues such as displacement and betterment of downtrodden people,” said Prafulla Samantra of State unit of LRP.
He said LRP was a national level forum of leaders involved in people’s movements and the process of bringing them together started a year ago.
Mr. Lingarj, whose electoral prospects are said to be bright, will jump into electoral battle for the second time. “We don’t have enough money power to carry out a high profile campaign. I have touched 90 per cent of gram panchayats by bicycles and made people aware about the alternative model of development,” he said.
Governments flayedThe forum leaders came down heavily on the successive state governments for adopting policy of globalisation. Especially in Orissa, the BJD-BJP alliance government had pursued fast industrialisation, which had caused more destruction than development, Mr. Lingaraj said.
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