Vedanta violating green norms in Niyamgiri Hills: Govt

The government has said multi -national mining company Vedanata Resources has been found to have violated certain environmental regulations at its mining site in the Niyamgiri hills in Orissa.

A three-member team of the Union Environment Ministry, which submitted its report to Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, has found evidence of violations of green norms at the company's bauxite project in the Kalahandi district of Orissa.

"I would not subscribe to the high-profile campaign in the case by various groups. But I am looking at the case on merit basis. But I can say that they have violated Forest Rights Act, without taking consideration of the tribal rights," Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh said on the sidelines of a function here.

 

He said the company has also started construction work on land that belongs to the revenue department, even though the project is yet to be cleared by the government.

The minister added he had been receiving a large number of representations with regard to bauxite mining by Orissa Mining  Corporation (OMC) through Vedanta.

After site inspection, the team while giving various instances of violation said "this is a case of violation of the F(C) Act and also of the environment guidelines."

Vedanta Resources, part of the USD 6.6 billion metals and mining giant, Vedanta, is implementing various mining projects in the country.

However, its Rs 4,500-crore alumina refinery in Orissa has become a rallying point for environmentalists as they allege the company is in violation of environment laws.