Environmental and Socio-economic Impact Assessment in Hazaribag Area of Dhaka for Tannery Relocation

Abstract

Purpose of the study: The objective of this study is to find out the tannery relocation’s impact on the surrounding environment, social, economic, livelihood conditions, and institutional and stakeholder perception in Hazaribag. Methodology: The methodological framework includes a field survey and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools, i.e., Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Key Informant Interview (KII). Main Findings: After the relocation, the surrounding environment, odour, and surface water condition have improved at a very satisfactory rate. Nevertheless, many tannery workers either become unemployed or transferred to their non-expertise field, and the economic and business condition of the area has decreased. Also, there are some conflicts between the owner and workers. After the relocation, the government has not properly managed the post-relocation situation in the brownfield. Research implications/limitations: The research findings will be helpful in planning the utilization of the brownfield. The study's limitations include reliance on respondents' perceptions and opinions and not conducting chemical analysis for water and environmental monitoring. Continuous monitoring of the change is needed to find the impact in the long run. Novelty/Originality of this study: Many studies were conducted on the impact of the Tannery in the Hazaribag area, and the Tannery was eventually relocated. The study fills a gap in the literature by presenting the scenario after the relocation to address the impact of relocation in Hazaribag, which is a significant observation for further development of the brownfield area.