Vedanta’s Sijimali bauxite project gets environmental panel approval amid tribal opposition

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Vedanta Limited has moved a step closer to developing its Sijimali bauxite mine project in Odisha after the Union Environment Ministry’s expert appraisal committee recommended the project for environmental clearance.

The proposed mine, located across Kalahandi and Rayagada districts, is expected to tap high-grade bauxite reserves estimated at around 311 million tonnes.

Vedanta plans to use the bauxite from the block to supply its alumina refinery at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district. The mining project will cover around 1,549 hectares across Thuamul Rampur and Kashipur tehsils and affect 18 villages in the two districts.

According to official documents, the project will require diversion of around 709.72 hectares of forest land. The expert appraisal committee recommended the project during its May 15 meeting, but stated that mining activity cannot begin on the forest land until Stage-II forest clearance is granted.

The committee also directed the company to comply with ongoing judicial proceedings linked to the project, including cases currently pending before the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal.

The Sijimali project has been tied up in legal disputes for several years.

Larsen and Toubro had earlier challenged the allocation of the mining block after the Orissa High Court dismissed its petition in 2023. The matter is currently before the Supreme Court, where Vedanta has also been made a party to the case.

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Separately, tribal community groups have challenged forest clearances linked to an access road associated with the project. The proposed mine is also facing strong resistance from local Kandha and Paroja tribal communities, along with forest-dwelling Scheduled Caste groups.

Residents have alleged that Gram Sabha resolutions related to forest rights settlements were fraudulent and violated provisions under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. Local communities argue that the hills in the region are culturally sacred and important for traditional livelihoods, forest produce collection and millet farming.

Environmental activist Prafulla Samantara said the hills serve as an important water source for tribal villages and hold religious significance for local communities.

The project will reportedly displace 129 families from the villages of Tijimali and Malipadar, with resettlement sites identified in Kurkuti and Chandgiri.

The Ministry’s forest advisory committee had already granted Stage-I forest clearance for the project in December 2025. According to documents submitted to the expert panel, the area surrounding the mine includes habitat for 24 Schedule-I wildlife species protected under India’s Wildlife Protection Act.

These species include elephants, sloth bears, king cobras and pangolins.

Vedanta has prepared a site-specific wildlife conservation plan with an estimated outlay of Rs 34.44 crore, approved by Odisha’s Chief Wildlife Warden in 2024.

Tensions around the project escalated last month after clashes reportedly broke out between police and tribal villagers over construction of the mine access road. The access road itself requires diversion of an additional 4.911 hectares of forest land and is also facing legal challenges before the National Green Tribunal.

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