Inhabitants of a rural Indian community are celebrating after the authorities blocked plans by Vedanta Resources to develop a bauxite mine on their traditional land. The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust was one of several investors to ditch its shares in Vedanta in protest at the company’s plans.
Vedanta had received strong backing from the Odisha state government for the proposed mine, despite protests from the 8,000-strong Dongria Kondh community of subsistence hunters and farmers. The land in the Niyamgiri Hills has sacred significance for them.
It has been described as a ‘David and Goliath’ battle. But the central Indian government last week came down against the mine, saying it would harm the environment, damage the water supply and threaten the Dongria Kondh’s survival.
Local activist Sitaram Kulesika said it was ‘a great day for Kondhs’.

The news was warmly welcomed by Survival International, who said it showed that ‘a marginalised tribe could stand up to a massive multinational company’ and win.

Dongria Kondh activists allege that they have faced intimidation and violence. Vedanta deny the allegations. It is not yet clear whether they will try to appeal against the decision.