Impact of Hydroelectric Dam Development and Resettlement on the Natural and Social Capital of Rural Livelihoods in Bo Hon Village in Central Vietnam

Hien Nguyen,Lisa Lobry De Bruyn,Ty Pham

doi:10.3390/su9081422

Abstract

The study examined the natural and social capital of Bo Hon villagers in central Vietnam, before and after resettlement within Binh Thanh commune due to the building of Binh Dien Hydroelectric dam on the Huu Trach River. (1) Background: The two-fold aim was to develop solutions to the impacts of resettlement on natural and social capital, and strategies for timely intervention and new livelihoods after households were resettled. (2) Methods: Livelihood survey of all 46 households was conducted in 2010, and villagers were asked about 2004, before resettlement, and about 2009, when the occupants of Bo Hon village had been moved to a new location 15 km away from the original one. The research employed mixed-methods by using household surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. The impacts of displacement and resettlement on production activities and daily life of rural people were examined in the following areas: (i) land resource; (ii) access to common-pool natural resources; (iii) income structure; (iv) agriculturally based livelihoods; (v) material assets; (vi) customary practices; and (vii) social relationships. (3) Results: The most significant impact was on the type of production activities that could be conducted after resettlement and reduction in land area to grow profitable commodities such as Lồ O Bamboo. Specifically, land for growing rice and other crops were significantly affected with the land area substantially reduced or flooded. Also harvesting of common pool resources from the forest (NTFPs) were reduced such as honey and rattan, and only 25% of the villagers continued to fish in the river. (4) Conclusions: Strategies were put in place to reduce the level of disruption to the villagers’ livelihoods, but some parts of the compensation package were short-lived or inequitably distributed (e.g., land), while infrastructure developments such as sealed roads have made the village far more accessible to Hue City some 25 km away.

Highlights

Hydroelectric dam development can bring many benefits such as: providing a clean energy source; using water for multiple industries; developing infrastructure; and improving social justice, but at the same time it creates negative impacts on environment and society, especially for those people directly affected
Most of the hydroelectric dam projects in Vietnam have been constructed in mountainous environments and in areas of high rural poverty, having a disproportionate effect on those people living in these isolated areas
A trend of decreasing access to common pool resources after resettlement has occurred with non-timber forest products (NTFPs)

Summary

Introduction

Hydroelectric dam development can bring many benefits such as: providing a clean energy source; using water for multiple industries; developing infrastructure; and improving social justice, but at the same time it creates negative impacts on environment and society, especially for those people directly affected. By the late of 20th century, there were over 45,000 hydroelectric dams (those with the normal water rise level from 5 to 15 m height and water reserves for more than 3 million m3) built in over 140 countries, which has displaced about 40–80 million people [1]. Most of the hydroelectric dam projects in Vietnam have been constructed in mountainous environments and in areas of high rural poverty, having a disproportionate effect on those people living in these isolated areas. With the construction of hydroelectric plants it first requires the establishment of water reservoirs and dams With such activities, the establishment of water reservoirs and dams will cause direct impacts to people and landscape at the local area, by flooding land they previously occupied, causing them to be moved elsewhere

Methods

Results

Conclusion