ABSTRACT
The case recounts the ongoing conflict between Vedanta Aluminium Ltd in Niyamgiri, Orissa, and the indigenous people and environmentalists over the mining and refining of aluminium in India. Vedanta focused on Orissa to tap into the rich bauxite deposits of Niyamgiri Hills. Sterlite Industries, owned by non-resident Indian businessman Anil Agarwal began its existence in the late 1980s as a firm supplying copper cables for telecom companies in India. The demand for aluminium, which is used in a variety of applications like power transmission and distribution, aircraft and space craft manufacture, kitchenware, architectural fittings, grain silos, industrial explosives and automobiles, was only expected to go up dramatically with increasing economic growth. The project faced opposition from not only the local tribals but also several environmentalists. Vedanta would also have to set up a 'special purpose vehicle' to ensure that environmental regulations were met, the court said.
