Pollution and displacement increasingly threaten the life and livelihood-indeed the very existence - of several rural communities. Panchayati Raj can play a very important role in checking this, but this potential has not been adequately realised yet. A lot of work needs to be done to realise this potential of panchayat raj in checking pollution and displacement. This was the conclusion that emerged from a public hearing on 'Panchayats, Pollution and Displacement' organised in Gorakhpur on July 31 with the co-operation of the Institute of Social Sciences and ALGI, New Delhi with two local organisations - Gorakhpur Environment Action Group and Laghu Seemant Krisha Morcha. Evidence from five crisis areas were presented at this public hearing.