Niyamgiri Movement

The Niyamgiri Movement is a community-led effort in India to protect the Niyamgiri Hills from mining by a liquor company, Vedanta Resources. Indigenous Dongria Kondh people believe the hills are sacred and vital to their way of life. The movement advocates for respecting their cultural rights and environmental preservation, opposing exploitation that threatens their land and resources. This movement gained national and international attention, highlighting the importance of indigenous rights, environmental protection, and sustainable development. It ultimately resulted in legal rulings that prevented mineral extraction, affirming the community’s rights to their land.