Vedanta rebuts Amnesty report on mining project impact

Vedanta Resources has strongly rebutted the Amnesty International’s report “belittling the achievements of scores of dedicated professionals and Sterlite, who by their tireless efforts have made a stupendous achievement possible in a short time of taking India to global roadmap.” By setting out a series of wide-ranging allegations in its report on Vedanta’s Lanjigarh aluminium project the Amnesty has directly challenged the credibility and robustness of India’s regulatory framework, the company has stated. 

The report, Vedanta said, implicitly criticises a number of highly-respected Indian governmental, regulatory and independent assessment organisations, including the Supreme Court and the State of Odisha, all of whom have reviewed, refined and endorsed the scrupulous approach manifested by the company in every aspect of the project’s operation. A detailed comprehensive study on the impact of mining at the Niyamgiri hills on groundwater table was carried out by the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI), Ranchi, from May 2006 to October 2006, The CMPDI concluded that there is no aquifer in the bauxite zone and the natural streams will be benefited in the study area due to the proposed mining. It rather anticipates an improvement in the groundwater table after mining operations, and the lower aquifer system in the plains will not be impacted at all by mining operations. So any apprehensions raised regarding adverse impact of mining on the water system are not based on any scientific studies. 

Regarding protection of biodiversity, a comprehensive wildlife management plan has been prepared taking inputs from experts like the Wild Life Institute of India with an outlay of Rs 50.53 crore to be implemented at the project cost. The management plan has identified all perceived impacts of the mining operations and developed mitigation measures for each of the impacts. All these studies were carried out on the direction of the Supreme Court and its cognizance has been taken into consideration before giving the judgment in favour of the mining project, Vedanta said. 

The majority portion of the Amnesty report is based on an outdated document, which was subjected to intense scrutiny by the Supreme Court over a two-and-a-half-year period. This detailed process included the appointment of a range of specialist expert committees, which considered issues as diverse as the geological, environmental and wildlife impacts of the project, the company pointed out. 

Besides, the company maintained, the Amnesty International was fully briefed by Vedanta on the nationally scrutinised processes and environmental safeguards followed over many years by the company prior to commencing the project and during its development. Representatives from the Amnesty visited Lanjigarh in March 2009 and had nearly a full-day discussion with Vedanta in the presence of the district collector of Kalahandi. All the documents required by them were submitted for their verification to maintain transparency. The Amnesty refused to go with Vedanta officials and district collector for a joint verification of the eight villages they had visited before coming to Vedanta. 

The report strikes at the heart of the project directly related to India’s economic growth and rural upliftment. The Lanjigarh project, whose many facets have been developed by Vedanta with the highest regard for human rights, will deliver significant economic stimulus to the local community, especially historically underdeveloped areas of Odisha. A range of activities directly associated with the project are designed to significantly develop local educational, medical and other social infrastructure and further India’s global competitiveness, the company said. 

The Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice, while granting permission in its judgment on August 8, 2008, reviewed all aspects, including tribal development, wildlife impact, environment impact and sustainable development in the area, taking into account all arguments, and came to the conclusion that starting mining operation at Niyamgiri, subject to fulfilment of all statutory requirements, would definitely give a boost to the development of the entire area. 

Source: Pioneer Bhubaneshwar Edition