Land acquisition for dams: relocation problem and potential change in livelihood of communities affected villages

Abstract

Dams are agricultural infrastructure that has very important role in supporting food security. Dams constructions indirectly show a change in resources from land resources (terrestrial) to water resources (aquatic). This study aims to analyze the impact of land acquisitions as a consequence of accelerating agricultural infrastructure development policy in East Java Province. This research was conducted using a multiple case study approach. Data were collected qualitatively through documents study, observation, and in-depth interview. There are three cases of land acquisition for dam construction comparing in this study: Semanthok Dam in Nganjuk District, Bagong Dam in Trenggalek District, and Bendo Dam in Ponorogo District. The result shows that land acquisition for dam construction was not immediately responded well. Conflicts usually begin from the value of compensation that is not in accordance to the community expectation. The land acquisition process for the dams has not included a livelihood plan for the people who are relocated from their village of origin. In fact, the dam construction necessitates a shift from the affected communities who originally used land resources eventually turned into water resources due to the dam constructions. A comprehensive impact analysis mapping has not been found covering: the community upstream dam, the community around dam and the community downstream of the dam.