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| NCCI welcomes the Decision on Vedanta by the Ministry of Forest and Environment |
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The National Council of Churches in India, and its Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation in particular, welcomes the decision of the Ministry of For Environment and Forest, Government of India, and congratulates Shri. Jairam Ramesh, Honorable Minister for refusing to grant Stage II forest Clearance for the OMC and Sterlite Bauxite mining project on the Niyamgiri Hills in Lanjaigarh, Kalahandi and Royagada districts of Orissa. (http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/Vedanta-24082010.pdf) This landmark decision on the controversial bauxite mine on Dongri Kondh Tribal land in Niyamgiri that came on 24th August 2010 was a relief to 28 Kondh villages, with a total population of 5148 persons.Vedanta, a UK based private multinational company had established its operations to ‘unearth’ bauxite in the tribal land in Niyamgiri District, Orissa as a state supported neo-liberal developmental activity since 2005. This unearth trade caused several hundred tribals and dalits to become landless and victims. This unearth trade caused a great amount of ecological and environmental degradation. Several local tribals and Dalits have become martyrs in the struggle to redeem their lands and livelihood from this multinational company. Hundreds of organisations and movements have extended their solidarity to the struggle of these Tribals and Dalits. The NCCI congratulates the local Tribals and Dalits and Activists who struggled for their lives, livelihood and identity; the Council commends the solidarity and support of the organisations, movements and well meaning people both in India and outside for their support and solidarity. The decision of the GOI - MEF is an achievement and fruit of the peoples’ struggle, and is proof enough that peoples’ movement and struggle is still powerful and an useful exercise.The NCCI invites the members of the public to record their appreciation for the decision of the Hon’ble mister for MEF of GOI. Shri. Jairam Ramesh. Letters of Solidarity and appreciation can be sent to envisect@nic.in. The Honorable Minister can also be prevailed upon to take such a stand in all similar applications pending before the ministry. The struggle for life never ends. The pathos of the vulnerable communities is to be supported. Faith Based Communities such as the NCCI Constituents both Churches and Ecumenical organisations should uphold such struggles for life and identity.
In Solidarity
Mr. A. Samuel Jeyakumar R. Christopher Rajkumar
Chairperson – NCCI –CJPC Executive Secretary NCCI - CJPC
Rt. Rev. Dr. Taranath S. Sagar Rev. Asir Ebenezer
President –NCCI Officiating General Secretary- NCCI |
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