ALERT UPDATE: India's Dongria Kondh Tribal Way of Life Threatened by British Vedanta Mining – Let’s Build on Initial Success
Vedanta Resources, a British mining company, is set to destroy the forests, wildlife and way of life of the Dongria Kondh people. A new protest email has been added which is going to Indian government officials in support of local demands. Please take part in this new protest target. Also, our action to date has caused HSBC and WestLB banks to publicly distance themselves from Vedanta and Niyamgiri mining, an early success. This is reflected in the updated 2nd email to send. Please send both! EI is doing this alert in close consultation with local communities through John Seed and Rainforest Information Centre, Australia.
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.
Comments
This is an excellent campaign that deserves all the support it can get. I first heard about early last year ago from Survival International. I think they deserve a mention. (http://survival-international.org)
Posted by: Laurence Lord | August 7, 2010 3:53 AM
i Dongria Kondh ora possono continuare a difendere il cielo
Posted by: ivan olivieri | August 26, 2010 10:35 AM