10 years of India’s first environmental referendum
April 22 , 2023 634 days 446 0
Ten years ago, on April 18, 2013, the Dongoria Kondhs, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) from Rayagada in Odisha won a legal battle.
In the Orissa Mining Corporation Ltd vs Ministry of Environment & Forest case, the Supreme court recognised their cultural, religious and spiritual rights on the Niyamgiri Hill, over Vedanta Company’s claim to exploit the hills for bauxite.
The Supreme Court ordered a referendum is to be held amongst the affected Gram Sabhas to obtain the consent on the project from the community.
They all unanimously voted against it in the referendum.