Development induced displacement and sustainable development

Abstract

This paper presents the state of displacement and its impact on the already marginalised communities particularly women. Data available on displacement indicate that at least 213 lakhs have been displaced or otherwise deprived of livelihood by development projects between 1951 and 1990. By now they must have crossed 300 lakhs. Most of the Displaced Persons (DPs) are from the assetless rural poor. Tribals constitute more than 40% DPs and Project Affected People (PAP)of dams and mines and 90% of the DPs from Wild Life Sanctuaries. Dalits constitute 20% of DPs and PAPs. Displacement without an alternative to their sustenance is impoverishment Linked to impoverishment is environmental degradation. Thus it results not merely in poverty and ecological degradation but also in the weakening of the culture that ensured renewability. More than men, women are more seriously affected by displacement. This is mainly because of their dependence on the informal economy. The natural resources from which land acquisition alienates them are the very foundation of tribal women's economy, culture, social systems and political structures. Both tribal and dalit women contribute to the family economy and are considered as economic assets. Because of this the tribal and to a lesser extent dalit women enjoy a higher status (not equality) in their society. This economy depended on abundant natural resources among the tribals and traditional skills among the dalits. Alienation from their economic base leads to their downward social mobility. In order to ensure that the DPs/DAPs in general and women in particular are the first beneficiaries in displacement policies, there are certain alternatives starting with a deeper understanding of impoverishment and displacement as a process and the minimising of displacement, and finally rehabilitation as a right.