"Vedanta Project in Odisha Halted Over Tribal Rights Violation Claims", 3 Sep 2025

Vedanta Mining Project in Odisha Faces Halt as Adivasi Villagers Allege Forged Signatures and Fake Gram Sabha Records; Union Government Pauses Forest Clearance Following High Court Order.

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Billionaire businessman Anil Agarwal’s London-headquartered company, Vedanta Limited, has allegedly trampled upon the rights of Adivasi communities for its first bauxite mine in Odisha. On 30 July 2025, the Union government halted – albeit temporarily – Vedanta’s plan to clear a vast forestland in Odisha after evidence surfaced that consent from Adivasis and other communities dependent on these forests may have been fraudulently obtained.

Vedanta has sought clearance from the Union government to clear 708.20 hectares of forestland for its 9 million tons per annum (MTPA) Sijimali bauxite mining project, which is spread across Kalahandi and Rayagada districts. An application to divert the forestland was filed with the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (“the ministry”) in April 2025. It is mandatory, however, to obtain prior consent of local communities who are dependent on these forests for their livelihoods before granting the clearance. This consent is obtained through Gram Sabhas (village councils comprising all adult members) under the provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 – known popularly as the Forest Rights Act, 2006. Local communities allege resolutions stating their consent were forged in Gram Sabha meetings purportedly held on 8 December 2023.

Serious allegations of fraud have been levelled by residents of the 10 villages where Gram Sabha meetings were held. They claim their consent for forestland diversion was deliberately manipulated and falsely recorded during the meetings. They have asserted that no legitimate consultations took place and have further accused officials of fabricating records to push forward the controversial project, bypassing community participation.

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A questionnaire was emailed by this correspondent to Vedanta, seeking, among other things, the company’s response to allegations that the resolutions of Gram Sabha meetings held on 8 December 2023 were fabricated. No response had been received at the time of publication. This article will be updated should Vedanta provide any reply.