Tribal affairs ministry gets cracking on apex court’s order on Vedanta

The ministry of tribal affairs seems to have pulled up its socks to ensure the Supreme Court’s order in the Vedanta case is properly implemented on ground. In a letter to the Odisha government on May 2, the ministry directed the state to facilitate the gram sabhas affected by the proposed bauxite mining project on Niyamgiri hills to decide—independently and in a transparent manner—the veracity of religious and cultural rights claimed by the tribal people on Niyamgiri hill.

Gram sabha to be consulted on Vedanta's mining project, says SC

POSCO asked to revise plans for fresh environment clearance

An expert committee of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has sought complete design change of POSCO steel project in Odisha before the developer can apply for a fresh environment clearance. Pointing out that the project did not comply with the several conditions imposed on at the time of grant of the earlier environment clearance, the committee has also asked POSCO to carry out fresh studies on its impact on the environment, livelihood of coastal communities, as well as the project’s water supply, drainage and waste disposal systems.

State mining departments turn tech-savvy to track mineral ores

Odisha Mining Corporation bats for Vedanta: questions rejection of bauxite mining proposal in Niyamgiri hills

The Orissa Mining Corporation Limited (OMCL) has questioned the validity of the Union environment ministry’s decision, rejecting the company’s application to mine bauxite from Niyamgiri Hills in Kalahandi district of Odisha. The company has said in the Supreme Court on November 23 that the ministry does not have the power to reject the clearance which was approved by the apex court in 2008.

Odisha authorises second and subsequent renewal of mine leases

The Odisha government has passed a resolution authorising second and subsequent renewal of mining leases of private companies. Such renewals are generally not issued by state governments unless the projects are accepted as being in the interest of mineral development by the Indian Bureau of mines (IBM) at the Centre.

Centre launches bio-toilets to curb open defecation

In a major step meant to eliminate open defecation, the Central government has decided to build 100,000 bio-digester toilets in the country in the next two years. The initiative will be part of the Centre’s flagship programme, total sanitation mission. The target is to be achieved through collaboration between the department of drinking water and sanitation under Union ministry of rural development and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Bhushan Steel’s Odisha unit in the dock for illegal expansion

“Women being denied forest claims’

Mita Krusika, a tribal resident of Karlakana village in Rayagada district of Odisha, is disillusioned with the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006. The flagship scheme of the UPA government, enacted in 2007 to recognise the rights of the forest dwellers on forest resources, has done more bad than good to her. After the death of her husband she filed an application for the title over her 0.8 hectare land their family had traditionally occupied. Bur the title was denied to her.

Vapi tops list of critically polluted areas