Amid the #WithdrawEIA2020 campaign and the website blockings and suspensions I want to take you back and recount a community’s travails over the last decade
#Thread
#India

Till the early 2000s, Dongria Kondhs lived peacefully in quiet and inaccessible hamlets on the slopes of the Niyamgiri range, in the Bissam Cuttack, Muniguda and Kalyansingpur blocks of Rayagada district and in the Lanjigarh block of Kalahandi district #Odisha #India
#INDIGENOUS

On 7 June 2003 , #Vedanta Aluminum Ltd, a subsidiary of @VedantaLimited signed an MoU with the Govt. of #Odisha to develop an alumina refinery and a bauxite mining plant there.
#India #WithdrawEIA2020

This led to huge protests from the Dongria tribe who practiced subsistence agriculture, relied on forest produce and worshipped Niyam Raja.

#Odisha #India #INDIGENOUS #WithdrawEIA2020

The many violations that @VedantaLimited made during the course of their work, in contrast to the agreements made were brought out, and highlighted by activists, researchers and journalists.

#environmentaljustice #India #INDIGENOUS #WithdrawEIA2020

Niyamgiri witnessed vociferous protests from the community in their villages with support from people around the world to protect their community’s right to life, the rich environment and their cultural, traditional and religious practices.
#India #WithdrawEIA2020 #Odisha

The 12 gram sabhas chosen by the #Odisha government in the decision making process rejected the project unanimously.
#India #indigenous #WithdrawEIA2020 #EIA2020 #environmentaljustice

The @moefcc, also supported by the #SupremeCourt
verdict, scrapped the project which was a huge victory for the people.
#India #environmentaljustice #WithdrawEIA2020 #Odisha #IndigenousLivesMatter #INDIGENOUS #COMMUNITIES

Let this August 11,2020 repeat history when we all send out our resounding NOs to @moefcc .
Do not forget to write to MoEFCC before August 11,2020 asking withdrawal of draft EIA 2020. #WitdrawEIA2020

#India #storytimethread #environmentaljustice #community #History #letsdothis

All illustrations on this thread are by comrades @sid_sap & @thepassionfruiteater on Instagram.

Script on these illustrations and research by @electric_shoKC & @aswathysenan here and on Instagram

#WithdrawEIA2020

In solidarity with @LetIndBreathe @FFFIndia @ThereIsNoEarthB