Odisha Tribals Demand Justice For Their Land and Livelihood
Umakant Naik, a resident of one of the many villages tucked away at the foothills of Sijimali Hills, is a firsthand victim of an ongoing tussle between local tribal villagers, a mining giant and the State. Known locally as Tijimali, the Sijimali Hills are home to nearly 50,000 residents, primarily from Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes, whose lives are deeply connected to the region’s forest, water and land resources. The mountain streams provide drinking water, while timber and wood offer shelter and fuel. Agriculture and forest resources sustain their daily needs. The “Tij Raja,” a spiritual presence believed to dwell in the hills, serves as a cultural and spiritual anchor for the community. But this harmonious way of life is now at risk.
The community faces neglect from the State and pressure from Vedanta, a mining corporation previously barred by the Supreme Court in 2013 from mining the neighbouring Niyamgiri Hills following a decade-long tribal resistance. While the Odisha state government allegedly resorts to intimidation through police action and arrests, the central government’s 2023 amendment to the Forest Conservation Act of 1980 has further eroded protections.
Having seen the havoc wreaked by development projects in nearby areas, the villagers are resolute. Despite the continued harassment of activists, the community remains determined to defend the Sijimali Hills and preserve their way of life.