Vedanta, mining, India, Indian, Dongria Kondh, Ecologist, Independent, investments, company, shares, shareholders, British, Church of England, Orissa

Vedanta Resources plc, an India-based mining firm, has been the subject of much criticism from the press and activist groups – including Amnesty International and Survival International – due to questionable human rights and environmental practices. In October 2008, The Ecologist reported that the partly British-owned company was to establish a bauxite mine on a hill that is crucial to the survival of the Dongria Kondh, a tribal people living in the Indian state of Orissa. The Dongria Kondh people depend on the rich ecology of the hill, which is also central to tribe's cultural and religious life.

'Halifax Pension Fund, Lloyds TSB Group Pension Fund, Norwich Union Life and Pensions Ltd and Prudential Managed Pension Fund, Land Rover Pension Trustees Ltd and Unilever Pension Fund were among those listed as beneficial shareholders in the controversial mining conglomerate.'

–The Ecologist

According to an article in The Ecologist last week, the Church of England sold £375 million ($585 mil/€428 mil) in shares of the company due to ethical concerns. The Independent reports that similar concerns prompted the Norwegian state pension fund to withdraw all of its funds from the company three years ago and that the British oil giant BP has also recently to cut its investments in Vedanta.

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