JOIN USIt does seem that it is the end of the road for Vedanta Aluminium Limited’s mining ambitions in Odisha. Adivasis in 12 villages voted unanimously against Vedanta extracting bauxite from the Niyamgiri Hills. These hills are not just the place of habitation of the Dongria Kondh, the Kutia Kondh and other tribal groups but also the forests of Niyamgiri are regarded by them as the abode of their deity and hence central to their religious and cultural identity.
In voting against permitting Vedanta to engage in mineral extraction, the Dongria Kondh and others have signalled that their identity, which is so intrinsically linked to land, means more to them than whatever monetary gains they would have made by handing over their land to Vedanta. The mining giant has tried every trick in the book, including intimidation and violation of laws, to set up a mining unit and refinery at Niyamgiri. Its dreams now lie in tatters.
The verdict will not be welcomed by the industry. Similar referendums elsewhere could, after all, jeopardise their investment plans just as it tripped up Vedanta. However, this need not be the case. Adivasis are not necessarily opposed to all economic development, only that which is not inclusive. Had Vedanta conducted itself less arrogantly, listened to what the Kondh were saying and been respectful of their religious beliefs and cultural sentiments, the Kondh may not have snubbed it as severely as they have now. There is no need for the industry to fret if companies can work with Adivasis and not displace them.
The referendum result carries a message to those Adivasis, who have turned to armed struggle to express their grievances over land alienation. There are institutions and processes that they can leverage to voice their opinion and secure justice. By calling for a referendum to determine how the Kondh felt about their land being mined for its mineral wealth – this is India’s first environmental referendum – the Supreme Court activated these institutions and processes. It breathed new life into the hitherto silenced palli sabhas (gram sabhas) which under the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act have the right to determine what kind of development activity they want on tribal land. The 12 palli sabhas, who said ‘no’ to Vedanta, have also indicated that there is a way to voice your opinion that is not violent and bloody. They have signalled a ‘thumbs up’ for participatory democracy.