Out of 12 Gram Sabhas, seven have been held so far to decide the fate of Vedanta in Niyamgiri Hills. All of them have rejected the bauxite mining, saying that would impact their livelihood and threaten their existence.
The seventh Gram Sabha held in Phuldumer village, which is hardly 10km from the Vedanta Alumina Refinery in Junagarh block in Kalahandi, gave the same verdict, as did others in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts so far.
The Dongria and Kutia Kondh tribes have come out in open to vehemently oppose the mining bid by Vedanta. At Phuldumer, 49 out of 65 villagers attended the meeting.
Latest Update: The eighth Gram Sabha at Ijrupa in Biswanathpur panchayat of Kalahandi districtalso said NO to Vedanta’s plan to go for bauxite mining in Niyamgiri Hills. The village has just one family of 4 members.
