Activists express concerns over ‘exploitation’ of bauxite deposits in Odisha

Published 11 August 2026 · india

Expressing deep concern over the auctioning of bauxite reserves in Odisha, environmental activists on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) alleged that the State’s current bauxite production

Expressing deep concern over the auctioning of bauxite reserves in Odisha, environmental activists on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) alleged that the State’s current bauxite production, far exceeding the country’s requirements, is destroying the ecologically sensitive hill ranges of the Eastern Ghats. “The indiscriminate granting of bauxite mining leases will deplete the State’s mineral resources and destroy its sustainable water sources. The government should immediately cancel the bauxite deposits already allotted and withdraw the auction notifications for upcoming mines,” said environmentalist and Goldman Environmental Prize winner Prafulla Samantara at a press conference. “The intrinsic nature of bauxite ore — a precious gift of nature — is to absorb rainwater, store it underground and release it gradually through natural springs after the rains. These springs feed perennial streams and rivers. Wherever bauxite-bearing regions exist across the globe, they are considered ‘water sponges’,” Mr. Samantara said. He said more than 55% of the country’s bauxite deposits are concentrated in five southwestern districts of Odisha — Bargarh, Balangir, Kalahandi, Rayagada and Koraput.

These deposits are spread across several hill ranges, including Gandhamardan, Niyamgiri, Karlapat, Khandualamali, Manjiamali, Sijimali, Kuturumali, Sasu-Bohumali, Baphlimali, Kodingamali, Nageswari Hill, Panchapatamali, Pottangi Hill, Karnakonda, Serubandha and Deomali. “Mining operations are currently underway at Panchapatamali, Baphlimali and Kodingamali under leases granted to the Central public sector undertaking Aluminium Company [NALCO], the State-run Odisha Mining Corporation [OMC] and the Aditya Birla Group. The drying up of water sources, pollution of rivers and streams, and destruction of forests are adversely affecting millet cultivation and agriculture,” Mr. Samantara alleged. Speaking on the occasion, human rights activist Narendra Mohanty said producing bauxite far beyond the country’s requirements, depleting Odisha’s resources and destroying the bauxite-bearing and highly sensitive Eastern Ghats amounted to an injustice to future generations. “Uprooting the livelihoods of lakhs of people and depriving them of their right to survive is deeply unjust and unconstitutional,” he said. “Leases have already been granted to various companies in mountain ranges in Koraput district, including Serubandha, Nageswari Hill, Karnakonda, Sijimali and Kuturumali.