Orissa Tribals hail Norway for banning Vedanta

The Norway government found support from unexpected quarters for its move to ban Vedanta Resources Plc from investing further in the country. A delegation of Orissa tribals met Norwegian embassy officials in New Delhi to express their gratitude for not allowing Vedanta to operate in Norway.

According to a supporter of the tribals, a delegation of Dongaria Kondh tribals met two representatives of Norwegian finance ministry in the embassy and gifted them two photographs of Niyamgiri Hills. Vedanta Alumina Ltd, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Plc, has signed a MoU with the Orissa government to set up a bauxite refinery in tribal-majority Kalahandi region.

The tribals are opposing the project fearing displacement and damage to their local heritage. According to them, the proposed project would destabilise wildlife in the area including elephants and rare lizards. They got inspired to step up their protest by Norway's recent move. Recently, Norway's state pension fund has sold around $13 million worth of shares in Vedanta Resources after it was found that Vedanta has caused severe environmental damage and violated human rights.