WyattKaldenberg Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - Let the people have their moutain. If they mine the mountain it will end these people's way of life, but if they don't mine the mountain who will it hurt? If they want to bulldoze a holy place, they should go bulldoze Mecca.

eezeey Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - just leave these peaceful people alone! they are happy in their own world, minding their own business....don't destroy their home.these ppl should also be careful of evil hypocritical xtian missionaries (hankering after political power/material wealth) who are ever eager to go & destroy other ppl's cultures & belief systems in the name of god.......no dearth of such missionaries in India! hypocrisy at its best.

rulebritannia1 Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - just relocate them give them compensation and set up a program of forest and ecology management, industry is important for a nation like india.

Weorthmyndum Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - Culture is far more important than industry, and that goes for all countries.

rulebritannia1 Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - culture does not feed the poor it does not provide jobs or economic growth and stability, sacrifices must be made for development. a few hundered people moved so that thousands possibly millions could bennifit

Weorthmyndum Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - Would you agree that overpopulation is a crisis far more dangerous than global warming, overconsumption of fuel, and economic stagnation of the Western World, all three of which are currently happening or starting to happen?

rulebritannia1 Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - over population is the cause of these concerns

niyamgiri Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - Industry is no answer to India's problems.. Yes weeding out corrupt politicians working for the benefit of industrialists rather than the impoverished might make some difference. In an era of climate change and global warming, the Dongria Kond of Niyamgiri are proof that sustainable life is possible.

himkdm1 Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - They may prove that sustainable life is possible, but would you find it desirable yourself? Demand for aluminum is causing the mining company to seek it there, no corruption necessary. Unless you can accept a huge reduction in your own real wealth, industry is the only answer to most Indians' problems.

activemedia Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - If the problems of India were really listed out and if one were to single out the biggest problem then it is definitely corruption. What makes the aluminium cartel seek for places like Niyamgiri is that they know it is easy to bend the laws and even the constitution of India like in the case of Niyamgiri.

niyamgiri Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - Please see the videos on Niyamgiri issue, especially the ones on how the factory was built, how people were beaten up, jailed, the pollution that is happening now, etc on my channel. Hopefully you will understand better why people are oppossed to industrialisation in India.

himkdm1 Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - Thanks for your videos. The situation does look terrible for these people. I'm simply saying that industrialization in general is not necessarily a bad thing (and really not reversible). The majority of people in India benefit from growth in industry.The religious issue is compelling in this case. If the people had full property rights, they could make the decision and get the produce from the mountain. Perhaps this lack of property right is what you mean by corruption?

niyamgiri Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - Thank you but I disagree that industrialisation benefits a majority of the people in India. Rather contrary to that, a sheer majority of India depends on agriculture (more than 70%). By corruption I mean am not really referring to propriety over resources but ideological corruption too. For instance India's development programmes are literally dictated by international instituions like World Bank & DFID in order to open the market in a way our nation's resources can be sued by the First World.

niyamgiri Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - The religious issue of Niyamgiri is also a scientific one as the Dongria worship Niyamgiri because of its miraculous properties that cause numerous perennial streams which scientists say is because of the bauxite. This mountain provides livelihood to more than 50,000 people which no industry can provide. The forest and the streams benefit even a larger number of people.

himkdm1 Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - But don't you think that the majority of people in India benefit from the GROWTH of industry? Most people are employed in agriculture now, but greater industry has improved their lot as consumers and made agriculture easier. There's no doubt that the Niyamgiri people have been given a raw deal. I'm just saying that if the government granted their property right (as they should since this tribe has been there awhile), neither the World Bank, DFID, or anyone else could take it without paying.

niyamgiri Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - Obviously you are not aware of the impact of industrial farming on the health of farmers in Punjab. And ill -effects of modern consumption. Govt gives right to their property or not the Dongria Kond people will perish without their resources even if paid for it. It is evident from their counterparts in Lanjigarh where people claim to have been pauperised even though they were paid compensation for their property. Frankly most of your points are answered in my videos. See them carefully.

himkdm1 Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - If they had the right to their property, they wouldn't have to sell it if they didn't want to. I'm not saying the World Bank does a great job with compensation schemes- they only count the financial losses (and there, only the ones they can identify directly). I'm saying that if the Dongria Kond had the rights they deserve, they would be able to continue as they are. I'll take a second look at your other videos. Also, I'd like to challenge whoever is booing comments to offer a perspective.

niyamgiri Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - Even if they don't want to sell their property they are bound by the land acquisition act of India. vedanta has already acquired land for its refinery despite people's protests. So it is unlikely that the Dongria Kond can continue the way they are even if they are given their traditional right to the entire Niyamgiri hill range. As I said its all there in the videos.

himkdm1 Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - You're totally right- there's probably nothing they can do now (except maybe getting enough public pressure to stop Vedanta, change the law, or finding enough money to buy out their contract all of which seems unlikely). I got that from the videos. I was looking for what you mentioned about industrial agriculture and didn't see it there. How does industrial agriculture and increasing consumption have ill effects? Do you mean on health, economically, morally, or something else?