Verdict on Vedant: Good environmentalism makes good politics, say analysts

The ministry of environment and forest's (MoEF) decision against London-listed mining giant Vedanta's bauxite mining project in Orissa, has been well-calibrated as it comes a couple of days ahead of AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi's scheduled visit to Lanjigarh to address a tribal rally. Gandhi, had a little over two years ago in March 2008, visited Lanjigarh and met the tribals of Niyamgiri.

According to commentators, the MoEF's decision would lift the party's sagging morale and fortune and help revive its traditional base among tribals before 2014.

The tribal population constitutes around 22 per cent of the total population of Orissa and if the Congress would like to increase its tally of six LS members then the tribal vote would be crucial.

The welfare law most crucial to the UPA government's overall vision of developing an inclusive society is said to be the Forest Rights Act (FRA) to which it seems to be now waking with the decision to cancel the mining rights of Vedanta say analysts.

With the FRA the Congress can consolidate a traditional political constituency ie tribals who constitute 8 per cent of the country's population are around 84 million people. Secondly if tribal rights are protected under the laws, it would help check the spread of Maoism, the 'biggest internal security threat,' according to prime minister Manmohan Singh.

Unlike other welfare measures initiated by the UPA in sectors ranging from employment to health, the FRA addresses the most primary component of empowerment - the right to land. With the vast majority of tribals living in the forests with no proof of residence, until the FRA was introduced various laws meant to protect the forests, wildlife and environment have only led to the marginalisation of tribals and their harassment.