Development or destruction?
India has witnessed strong anti-dam protests. The chorus of protests have grown: Development at what cost? But the government's response has been mixed. It has itself scrapped numerous dam proposals, and several more after public protests, but mostly where ecological impacts are high. Some of the dam projects which were scrapped:
Bedthi, Karnataka: Submergence of 6,065 ha of fertile land, including 4,126 ha of thick forest. Displaced 4,000 tribals.
Silent Valley, Silent Valley forest range: Destruction of undisturbed rainforests. Displaced a few people.
Bodhghat, Madhya Pradesh: Submergence of 13.8 mha of forest cover. Displaced 10,000 tribals.
But where the protests have largely centered around displacement, the government has stuck to its guns. A humane rehabilitation
policy still remains elusive. Some of the projects where rehabilitation is a key issue but the struggle continues are:
Tehri, Uttar Pradesh: Submergence of 23 villages completely, 72 partially, and 21 of the New Tehri township. Displaced 70,000 people from their ancestral lands.
Sardar Sarovar, Gujarat: Displaced 400,000 people. Submergence of 37,000 ha of land. Narmada, Madhya Pradesh: Over 400,000 people will be affected and 80,000 ha of land will be submerged.
Related Content
- Living in the shadow of loss and damage: uncovering non-economic impacts
- Asia-Pacific regional synthesis: climate change, displacement and the right to education
- Counting the cost 2022: a year of climate breakdown
- Finance for climate action: scaling up investment for climate and development
- Africa carbon markets initiative: roadmap report
- Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding Draft Development Plan, 2041 of Himachal Pradesh, 14/10/2022