Abstract
Mountain economies are undergoing transformation from traditional agrarian to more industrial or service-oriented economies. Such changes invariably have socioeconomic impacts on nearby communities and lead to fragmentation and rural depopulation. Sikkim, a small state of India in the Eastern Himalayas, has recently embarked on a program of hydroelectricity project construction. This study examined community perceptions of the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of these projects in 3 rural areas and considers implications for future sustainable livelihoods. While benefits such as employment have accrued to the rural community from these economic development projects, changes in land use and in people's occupations may have adverse impacts on their future livelihoods. We argue that there is a need to support new types of land-based economic activities on abandoned agricultural lands, reclaim degraded lands, and introduce new products and production methods.
Highlights
The control of environmental pollution and the development of environmentally friendly economic activities are essential features of a green economy
Hydroelectricity projects can have a range of impacts on communities near the project sites, both beneficial and detrimental
Positive socioeconomic benefits can include provision of employment, welfare, and market accessibility (World Commission on Dams 2000: 99–102, 121; Koch 2002). Detrimental impacts such as loss of agricultural land, with adverse consequences for livelihoods of affected people (Gupta and Asher 1998: 117; Trussart et al 2002; Isaacman 2005), altered river flows, and loss of wildlife habitat have made hydroelectricity projects the subject of strong opposition from environmental organizations. They bestow physical and, in some cases, human livelihood assets to the community at the expense of natural livelihood assets, which may not represent a balanced approach to sustaining positive livelihood outcomes (DFID 1999)
Summary
The control of environmental pollution and the development of environmentally friendly economic activities are essential features of a green economy. Positive socioeconomic benefits can include provision of employment, welfare, and market accessibility (World Commission on Dams 2000: 99–102, 121; Koch 2002) Detrimental impacts such as loss of agricultural land, with adverse consequences for livelihoods of affected people (Gupta and Asher 1998: 117; Trussart et al 2002; Isaacman 2005), altered river flows, and loss of wildlife habitat have made hydroelectricity projects the subject of strong opposition from environmental organizations. In other words, they bestow physical and, in some cases, human livelihood assets to the community at the expense of natural livelihood assets, which may not represent a balanced approach to sustaining positive livelihood outcomes (DFID 1999)
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