ACTION ALERT ! India's Dongria Kondh Sacred Mountain and Tribal Way of Life Threatened by Unwanted British Vedanta Mining
Vedanta Resources, a British mining company, is set to destroy the forests, wildlife and way of life of the Dongria Kondh people. The Dongria Kondh have been struggling with all their might to protect their mountain but are being overpowered by the financial and political might of this multi-billion dollar company. They have been protesting locally for years, and have appealed for international support for their campaign to keep their sacred Niyamgiri Mountain ecologically and culturally intact.
TAKE ACTION HERE NOW:
http://forests.org/shared/alerts/send.aspx?id=india_mine
The Dongria Kondh are an indigenous tribe who have lived since time immemorial around the mountain Niyamgiri in the Indian state of Orissa. Because they revere this mountain as their god, it has not thus far suffered the deforestation and degradation experienced by similar areas in that part of the world but contains an elephant reserve with Sambar, Leopard, Tiger, Barking Deer, various species of birds and other endangered species of wildlife. However now Vedanta Resources, a British mining company, is set to destroy the forests, wildlife and way of life of the Dongria Kondh people. These local peoples have been vociferously and bravely protesting for years.
Many groups from around the world have been campaigning to persuade Vedanta's shareholders and financiers to distance themselves from the company. A group of international NGO's wrote to Vedanta's bankers in April this year asking them to dissociate themselves from the company. None of the banks have done so, so now it’s time to name and shame them, time for people from all around the world to send emails expressing our disgust that they continue bankroll this disgraceful project. With a few clicks of the mouse, you can send emails to people who could, if they wished, prevent this ecological destruction and injustice from taking place. Please share this action alert with your friends and ask them to do the same.
MORE INFORMATION AND TAKE ACTION NOW:
http://forests.org/shared/alerts/send.aspx?id=india_mine
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Comments
Does anyone know about British Vedanta Mining , its web site or other info. The only one I found is in fact based in Kuala Lumpour , Malaysia
Posted by: Paul | July 14, 2010 2:14 AM
Vedanta is far from being a British company . It has its corporate HQ in London , so it can be on the London Stock Exchange , but thats as far as being British goes. It is an INDIAN company by origin and ownership and all its history is Indian with subsidiaries in other countries like Australia.
You should campagn the British government to stop companaies like this using their name to look British , and give Britain a bad name.
For me as usual its an Indian company with a dubious ecological reputation hiding its real origins and goals
Posted by: Paul Rice | July 14, 2010 2:28 AM
IN 1920S Britishers forst discovered alumina reserve in niyamagiri, the habitation of engendered Dongaria kondha primitive tribe. At that time they protested with bows and arrows, the Britishindia government's planing for mining just stopped after this protest. At that time the dongaria Kondh's protest described as one of the freedom struggle. Now the picture is changed, thier own man turned their foe and past foes became their friend.
Posted by: Lambodar Prasad Dash | August 6, 2010 8:11 AM
Just to correct a misunderstanding of words. This article reads: "Because they revere this mountain as their god..." The truth is, these people consider the mountain as sacred, yes, but they also know that it is not the mountain that is their god.
It is important to make sure when articles are written that the information contained in them is culturally reflexive rather than written in such as way that it distorts the truth.
Posted by: Siuyin | August 8, 2010 3:30 AM