Alumina mining in Orissa is causing serious health and environmental hazards, a leading rights watch said today, slamming the government and mining major Vedanta for failing to properly inform indigenous communities about its impact.
According to a report released today by Amnesty International, the 8000-strong community comprising largely of adivasis in Lanjigarh in Orissa has suffered violations of human rights to water and health because of pollution and poor management of waste produced by the refinery.
"Vedanta Aluminium Limited's alumina refinery has led to water and air pollution, seriously undermining the quality of life and threatening the health of nearby communities, some of whom live only a few hundred yards from the refinery's boundary walls," the report said.
It also slammed the Centre for failing to obtain "free, prior and informed consent" of the Dongria Kondh tribe living in the thickly forested Niyamgiri Hills before approving the Vedanta project.
Vedanta, whose subsidiary operates the mine, meanwhile defended its operations, saying the report is based on an "outdated document", which was subjected to intense scrutiny by the Supreme Court.
It said the Supreme Court has already "reviewed, refined and endorsed the scrupulous approach manifested by Vedanta Resources in every aspect of the project's operation" in its August 2008 order.
