Tribal Movements against Mining-induced Displacement in Odisha: The Case of Dongria Kondh’s Niyamgiri Movement

Abstract

Contemporary Odisha has witnessed many micro-social movements fighting industrialization, mining, major dams, and similar development projects. The introduction of these projects has a massive impact on tribe lives, survival, and cultural identity of tribes. The most recent one is the severe uproar from the Lanjigarh area’s inhabitants against the Vedanta, which was about to set up a bauxite-aluminum factory near Niyamagiri Hill. The article attempts to highlight the historical resistance of tribals against development-induced displacement both during pre- and post-independence in Odisha and discuss the magnitude of displacement due to development-induced projects, impacts, rehabilitation, and resettlement. It further presents the Dongria Kondh community’s struggle against the alumina refinery and the new bauxite mining project in Niyamgiri. The victory of Niyamgiri provides moral support, courage, and a ray of hope for the other tribal people in India who have been battling for rights to forest and land for days. Tribal movements have forced the postponement or cancellation of numerous projects, raising questions about their long-term viability. Thus, protest movements have compelled governments to review displacement issues and implement necessary measures to address them.