Interlinkage between short-term effect of mining and motivation for the emergence of movement: a case study of Gandhamardan Hill Region–Odisha–India

• Published in: SN Social Sciences 2023-10, Vol.3 (10), Article 173
• Main Author: Rout, Baijayanti
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Education; Linguistics; Original Paper; Psychology; Social Sciences
• ISSN: 2662-9283; 2662-9283
• DOI: 10.1007/s43545-023-00761-0

The need for mineral products is rising dramatically in the modern world, which compels many investors to participate in mineral extraction. Most mineral resources are found in tribal-dominated areas that are affected by resource extraction operations. As a mineral-rich state, Odisha is becoming a popular destination for investors. The majority of the population is made up of indigenous people who have historically subsisted on the natural resources of the highlands. Indigenous inhabitants of Gandhamardan Hill Region protested for their rights on sacred religious places near the mine, traditional source of livelihood, and the environment. This article aims to investigate the impact of mining during the extraction phase in the 1980s, which was the driving factor behind the emergence of the resistance movement, as well as how local indigenous communities, activists, and other organizations contributed to the success. The research indicates that mining has three significant effects on: religious beliefs, environment, and livelihood, which have driven the local populace to resist. These three characteristics were crucial standpoints to the success of the Gandhamardan or BALCO (Bharat Aluminium Company) movement. However, the ecological factor has received considerable support nationally as well as globally. The state government was eventually pushed to abandon the project due to strong leadership, selfless devotion and sacrifice of the indigenous tribal people, well-thought-out initiatives of the activists, and local–global support to save the ecology.