British mining firm accused of polluting in eastern India

New Delhi - Indian authorities are ignoring pollution threats from an alumina refinery in eastern India set up by British company Vedanta Resources plc, Amnesty International said Tuesday. The report said the pollution control board of Orissa state had documented air and water contamination from the refinery, operated by a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources in Lanjigarh.

Amnesty International said the pollution was threatening the health of residents and their access to clean water.

The government is considering a proposal for a major expansion of the refinery, located near a river and villages, the report said.

Another Vedanta Resources subsidiary along with the Orissa Mining Corporation plans to mine bauxite in the Niyamgiri Hills, which threatens the existence of the 8,000-strong Dongria Kondh tribe.

The Dongria Kondh have lived in the area for centuries and considered the Niyamgiri hills to be sacred, yet no effort had been made to consult them on the proposed mine, Amnesty said.

The organization called on the Indian government and Vedanta Resources to block expansion of the refinery, and halt mining in Niyamgiri before full consultation with local people.

The Church of England said on Friday that it had sold its 3.75-million-pound stake in Vedanta, because it was not satisfied that the company had shown the expected level of respect for human rights and local communities.

In face of similar criticism earlier, Vedanta said its projects had the required clearances of the Indian government and that it routinely carried out environment and social impact studies.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/308243,british-mining-firm-accused-of-polluting-in-eastern-india.html.