BHUBANESWAR — Activists on Thursday urged the Odisha government to halt proposals to restart bauxite extraction in the Niyamgiri hills, citing potential loss of forest cover, displacement of the Dongria Kondh tribe and violation of a 2013 Supreme Court ruling that barred mining in the area.
Background of the mining ban
The Niyamgiri range, covering roughly 1,200 square kilometres in the Rayagada and Kalahandi districts, was declared a protected forest under the Forest Conservation Act of 1980. In 2013, the Supreme Court of India upheld the tribal community’s claim that mining would infringe on their constitutional right to a clean environment and cultural heritage, leading to the cancellation of a lease held by Vedanta Resources.
Government’s renewed interest
State officials disclosed in a press briefing on 26 September that the Department of Mines and Geology is reviewing applications from private firms seeking to explore bauxite deposits in the foothills of Niyamgiri. The briefing noted that any new lease would be subject to environmental clearances under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and compliance with the Forest (Conservation) Act.
Activist response
Environmental NGOs, including the Centre for Science and Environment and the Niyamgiri Conservation Forum, issued a joint statement warning that renewed mining would fragment the hills’ unique laterite ecosystem, home to several endemic plant species and the critically endangered Indian pangolin. The statement also highlighted that the Dongria Kondh, who depend on the forest for subsistence agriculture and cultural rituals, have not been consulted in the latest feasibility studies.
“The proposal ignores the ecological sensitivity of the region and the rights of the tribal communities who have lived there for generations,” the activists wrote. “Re‑opening the mines would set a dangerous precedent for other protected areas across the country.”
Legal and procedural safeguards
Under the Forest (Conservation) Act, any mining activity in a protected forest requires prior approval from the MoEFCC and a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted by an independent agency. The EIA must address potential impacts on flora, fauna, water resources and the livelihoods of forest‑dependent communities. The Supreme Court’s 2013 judgment also mandates that the consent of the Gram Sabha be obtained before any mining lease can be granted in tribal areas.
Legal experts note that the Odisha government would need to secure a fresh clearance from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) if the project proceeds, as the NGT has jurisdiction over disputes involving forest clearances and environmental violations.
Economic arguments
Proponents of the mining plan argue that the Niyamgiri hills contain an estimated 1.2 billion tonnes of high‑grade bauxite, which could generate up to ₹12,000 crore in revenue over a 20‑year period and create 5,000 direct jobs. The state’s Department of Industries cited a feasibility report prepared by a consultancy firm in March 2026 that projected a 7.5% annual increase in state mineral royalties if mining resumes.
However, activists counter that the projected revenue does not account for the long‑term costs of deforestation, loss of ecosystem services and potential litigation. They point to a 2024 study by the Indian Institute of Forest Management that estimated the economic value of the Niyamgiri forest ecosystem at ₹3,500 crore per year, based on carbon sequestration, water regulation and biodiversity benefits.
Stakeholder positions
The Ministry of Mines released a statement on 28 September affirming that any mining lease would be granted only after compliance with all statutory requirements, including the Forest (Conservation) Act and the provisions of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The statement did not address the specific concerns raised by the activists.
The Dongria Kondh community, represented by the Niyamgiri Tribal Council, submitted a petition to the Odisha High Court on 2 September seeking a stay on any new mining applications. The petition argues that the proposed mining violates the community’s rights under the Forest Rights Act and the constitutional guarantee of protection for Scheduled Tribes.
Next steps
The Odisha High Court scheduled a hearing for 15 October to consider the tribal petition. Meanwhile, the MoEFCC is expected to release its preliminary assessment of the mining proposals within the next two weeks. Activists have called for a public hearing under the Right to Information Act to ensure transparency in the decision‑making process.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and use every legal avenue to protect Niyamgiri,” the activists said in a follow‑up note. “The forest and its people cannot be sacrificed for short‑term gains.”
