CASE STUDY ON ECONOMIC GLOBALISATION - ADVOCACY

In the recent years the livelihood systems of the indigenous communities and the rural poor are increasingly appropriated by the Trans National Corporations. Natural resource conflicts have risen around issues of human rights, survival and sustainable development. Essentially these conflicts relate to conversion of free community resources in commodities whose use is governed by State influenced corporate market criteria. The development path we pursue ironically endangers the livelihood resources of millions on indigenous communities – the natural based communities. Protest against mal-development and unsustainable development is increasing day by day. In the conflict between the corporate and communities the State continue to support the TNCs and many governments are becoming pawns in the hands of Corporates assisted by world financial institutions like the IMF, World Bank and WTO. Many millions had to pay the price of national development and economic growth.

In the last five decades in India alone more than 50 million people have been displaced. One of the living examples of communities Vs corporate struggle is the campaign that apposes the concept of ‘Eminent Domain’ of State over Livelihoods. Orissa, since the independence became a direct target of economic growth through the exploitation of natural resources like the forest, water and land for the corporates mining operations, hydropower production and land acquisition. It is heartening to note that all the G7 countries some how or other directly and indirectly are involved in some kind of activities that denies the legitimate right to livelihood of many millions of people. Take the case of Bauxite mining alone in Orissa, given the 500 million tonnes of Aluminium in the region, the State is virtually giving away a wealth roughly Rs. 50,000 lakhs Crores for a meagre investment of few thousand crores in foreign exchange. More over the region is the only biological resource pool left in the Eastern Ghats an ecologically fragile area where in number of mining leases have been given. These regions are over mined and the privilege provided under liberalisation erodes the rights of the already marginalised. In 1990 alone the Aluminum industry consumed power equivalent to that of the entire continent of Africa. In Orissa out of 2466 Mega watts produced one third of the power was consumed in Aluminum industry in 1995. These industries contribute green house gases leading to accelerated climate change.

Major consumers are USA, France, Russia, and Norway. Peshiney International of France, Norsk Hydro of Norway, Alcan of Canada, Alu Sussie of Switzerland, and ALCOA of America are some of the Northern countries that are directly involved in bauxite mining in Orissa. To high light one the of the joint venture companies will be useful for us to understand the conflict between the communities and corporates. UTKAL Alumina a consortium owned by Norsk Hydro, Alcan and Indalco. Technical support is expected from Alu Sussie and Alcan. It is an 100% export oriented investment for in which Government of India heavily subsidised offering exception in paying income tax and drops in import tariffs for equipment used. With a one billion dollar business venture it is expected produce one million ton per year. This project will directly affect 9000 people and displace 3500 people from their habitat from 40 villages. This project is located in a place called Kashipur, in Rayagada district of Orissa.

Since 1993, the people of Kashipur launched a peaceful agitation in protest and save their sustainable livelihood resources. In 1995, the people to be displaced contacted some of the NGOs working in the region for support and solidarity. Based upon this request many NGOs joined hands with the struggling people. As one the LWF DMD projects of UELCI was working in the same region contacted Norwegian Church Aid – the Change Makers, Universities in Oslo and Bergen, Stromme Foundation and Norwatch through UELCI Office.

Many visits were made by the Norwegian Team to assess and learn the reality in the field. Other NGOs got involved in supporting the people. During the last seven years the people organised many rallies, campaigns and marches to express their ideas and opinions. The Government did not heed to the people’s problems. Media teams local, regional and national level visited the area and the stories were filed in newspapers and magazines. Many Tribals were arrested and false cases were booked. While many cases were disposed still some cases are pending in the court. Four NGOs in Orissa were banned by the State in 1999 and all official aid was stopped for rural development activities. The Ban was lifted in July 2000. Intelligence surveillance kept an eye on the activities these NGOs and their leaders.

National Council of Churches In India (NCCI) was contacted and they organised meeting in solidarity with the struggling people. A Fact-finding team from NCCI visited the area. Church Leaders from Jeypore Evangelical Lutheran Church (JELC), United Evangelical Lutheran Church (UELCI) and other NGOs participated in a meeting and came out with a Statement questioning the unfair deals of the company and the state.

NGOs and Mines, Minerals and People a network of NGOs, Activists and Community based Organisations continue to support the People. The Company hired a consultancy firm called the Business Partners in Development to negotiate with the civil society and the people. The result of such effort ended up in killing three innocent Tribals by the state police. Independent commissions visited and reported the matter to the President of India. A Judicial enquiry is forced on an NGO implicating the NGO that they were motivating the Tribals to go against the State and the NGOs activities are detrimental to the economic growth of the State.

The to be displaced people are getting organised stronger and stronger. Their fight to sustainable livelihood will be a lesson to many people around the globe. The message is clear, unless the people who will be the victims of economic globalisation do not get organised their life will be miserable and they will be pushed too hard and their existence will be under constant threat.

The forces of economic globalisation needs to be countered with strong will and commitment so that the resources of the poor will be protected and the children unborn will have a place to survive on this Globe. Therefore it is urgent for the Civil Society Organisations to recognise their role on these vital problems and need to take clear positions, and get involved more seriously than ever before to have greater impact on the society. What we need to day is more sensitisation of the society.

UELCI – IRDWSI
5 January 2003.

All Rights Reserved