24 August 2010 Last updated at 07:18 ET
The tribes say the mining project will destroy their livelihoodIndia has rejected controversial plans by mining group Vedanta to extract bauxite in the eastern state of Orissa.
The project had breached environmental protection acts and raised concerns for the rights of local tribes, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said.
Vedanta’s other ventures in Orissa were being investigated separately, he said.
The company has yet to comment on the decision. It says it will bring jobs to the area – tribespeople say the plans will destroy their sacred land.
