Impact of displacement on place attachment, landscape value and trust in the Sonepur–Bazari open cast coal mining area, Raniganj Coalfield, West Bengal

Abstract

Mining induced displacement and its impact on social environment has been researched with an immense interest in social sciences for a long period of time. The present study deals with the impact of mining-induced displacement and rehabilitation on psycho-social behaviour in Sonepur–Bazari open cast coal mining area. Place attachment, landscape value and trust have been taken into consideration to understand the effect on psycho-social behaviour in the respective area. Data for this investigation are predominantly derived from semi structured questionnaire survey of 282 participants from 14 villages of the study area. Cronbach’s Alpha has been calculated to test the internal consistency and reliability of the questions. To measure the answers 5-point Likert scale has been used. The responses have systematically analysed after simulation and it has been concluded that the monitory compensation comprehensively contributed to improve the monthly income of the project affected families but the grim reality is that it does not help to improve the place attachment of the residents with their land rather a weak attachment has been found in the rehabilitation sites. The values of landscapes are also drastically changes from pre displacement to post displacement period. Trust has been calculated as an indicator of community attachment. The result indicates that the trust within a community becomes weak after displacement and a negative correlation has been found between mining-induced income inequality and trust.