Dangaria Kandha

[4][5] The social structure among the community is adapted to the surroundings of Niyamgiri forested hill country, where they have lived for many generations.

[3]: 6 [2]: 18 The Dongria Kondh derive their name from dongar, meaning ‘agricultural land on hill slopes’,[2]: 3  and the name for themselves is Jharnia – "protector of streams".

The Dongria women are also given equal status in the society in matters such as widow remarriage, possessing property without the interference of their husbands and sons.

[3]: 10  The company argued that mining on Niyamgiri should proceed, as it would enable aluminium to be produced more economically than bringing in raw materials from greater distances.

[5][6] There was considerable opposition among the Dongria Kondh, and campaigners against the scheme, including the Wildlife Institute of India, maintained that it would cause damage to the environment and disrupt the way of life of the local people.

[5] The campaign against the mining proposals gathered support from Survival International and individuals including Arundhati Roy,[4] Michael Palin,[7] Bianca Jagger and Joanna Lumley.

[6] The mining development was placed on hold by the Government of India in 2010, with a statement that the company had flouted the law and disregarded the rights of the Dongria Kondh.

[4] In January 2014 the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced that it was refusing clearance for the mine.

[3]: 11 In 2010 Survival International placed an advertisement in Variety magazine drawing attention to similarities between the scenario of James Cameron's film Avatar and the situation of the Dongria Kondh.