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Displacement in the name of Development

Economic development is considered essential for the progress and prosperity of any nation. Since the beginning of human history, development has been an ongoing process, with countries worldwide advancing steadily. Without development, a nation would remain stagnant, hindering growth and progress. In this context, economic development is crucial for improving human well-being by raising living standards and enhancing quality of life.

However, this model of economic development also has a downside. As Harvey (2003) notes, imperialism in the neoliberal era has revived “the original sin of simple robbery.” Global capitalism continues to sustain and expand itself through a process of primitive accumulation. A key issue in economic development is the resulting displacement of people whose land is used for development projects. Thus, displacement represents the adverse side of the development process, and policymakers cannot ignore this challenging reality as they pursue economic growth.

When the government undertakes development projects, such as building dams, power plants, roads, railways, or industrial zones, it acquires land for these purposes. After compensating the landowners, the government requests that they vacate the land. If they refuse to do so voluntarily, they are forcibly removed. This process is known as development-induced displacement.

Development-induced displacement has become a significant issue in India, where rapid economic growth and infrastructure development frequently lead to the displacement of communities and individuals from their ancestral lands. While these development projects promise progress and modernization, they often displace vulnerable populations, resulting in complex social, economic, and environmental repercussions.

Reasons for displacement

Infrastructure Projects: Large-scale initiatives, like the construction of dams and urban renewal projects, often require vast amounts of land, leading to the displacement of many people.
Urbanization: Rapid urban expansion can result in the forced eviction of informal settlements, causing displacement among residents.
Industrialization: The growth of industries frequently necessitates land acquisition, displacing local communities in the process.
Natural Resource Extraction: Mining and other resource extraction projects often displace communities living in resource-rich areas.
Agriculture: Large agricultural projects can result in the displacement of communities from fertile lands.
Military Installations: The establishment of military bases can also lead to the displacement of local populations.

Consequences of displacement

• Infrastructure Projects: Large-scale initiatives, like the construction of dams and urban renewal projects, often require vast amounts of land, leading to the displacement of many people.
  Urbanization: Rapid urban expansion can result in the forced eviction of informal settlements, causing displacement among residents.
  Industrialization: The growth of industries frequently necessitates land acquisition, displacing local communities in the process.
  Natural Resource Extraction: Mining and other resource extraction projects often displace communities living in resource-rich areas.
  Agriculture: Large agricultural projects can result in the displacement of communities from fertile lands.
  Military Installations: The establishment of military bases can also lead to the displacement of local populations.
• The impacts of displacement are not equally experienced across different communities and regions. They vary depending on the specific social, economic, and cultural contexts. This variation arises because both rural and urban communities are not uniform, but consist of diverse social groups with differing levels of power and resources.
• Michael Cernea’s model, frequently cited in studies on forced displacement across anthropology, sociology, and geography, identifies eight interrelated risks that collectively contribute to the process of impoverishment caused by displacement. These risks include:
• Landlessness
• Joblessness
• Homelessness
• Loss of common property
• Marginalization
• Food insecurity
• Increased mortality
• Social disarticulation
• These factors highlight the complex and multidimensional nature of displacement, demonstrating how it can severely affect individuals and communities in various ways.

A Case Study

In the lush and vibrant Hasdeo Arand forest of Chhattisgarh, once home to towering sal trees, orchids, and endangered wildlife, the village of Kete thrived, nestled deep within one of India’s most biodiverse regions.

Today, however, Kete exists only as a memory—an early casualty in the ongoing destruction of Hasdeo’s forests, cleared to make way for coal mining. In 2013, the Parsa East Kete Basan (PEKB) coal block, awarded to Adani Enterprises, began operations here, triggering a series of events that would permanently disrupt the lives of Kete’s residents.

As India’s energy demands continue to grow, forests are being sacrificed to the unrelenting expansion of coal mining. Historically, over 90% of the country’s coal was extracted by state-owned companies. However, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, private corporations—led by giants like Adani—have gained significant control over mining operations. Adani, in particular, has become a focal point of intense debate.

The people of Kete, displaced nearly a decade ago, have been scattered in various directions. Many were relocated to Basan, a government-designated rehabilitation site.

Fair Compensation: Ensure that displaced individuals receive adequate compensation for their land and property, as seen in the rehabilitation efforts following the construction of the Bhakra Nangal Dam.

Inclusive Planning: Involve affected communities in the planning process to reduce negative impacts and find alternative solutions. A successful example of participatory planning can be found in the rehabilitation of communities displaced by the Tawa Dam in Madhya Pradesh.

Employment Opportunities: Provide skill development and job opportunities in newly developed areas to offset economic losses. Employment initiatives following the displacement caused by the Koel Karo Dam project in Jharkhand demonstrate the effectiveness of such strategies.

Legal Safeguards: Implement and enforce strong legal frameworks to protect the rights of affected populations. The Forest Rights Act in India aims to safeguard the rights of forest-dwelling communities facing displacement.

Environmental Impact Assessment: Carry out comprehensive environmental assessments to understand and mitigate the consequences of development projects. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process in India plays a critical role in evaluating and addressing the environmental impacts of such projects.

Community Empowerment: Enable communities to actively participate in decision-making processes related to development projects. The involvement of local communities in the decision regarding the Posco steel plant project in Odisha is a prime example of the significance of community empowerment.

Balancing national progress with social justice in the face of development-induced displacement remains a significant challenge for India. By embracing a more participatory, transparent, and comprehensive approach to rehabilitation and resettlement, India can pave the way for more equitable development.

The End of the Blog: Displacement in the name of Development