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p. 5 of 25 BACK | NEXT I. Introduction A. Projects Involving Displacement of People B. Magnitude and Impacts of Population Displacement C. Voluntary Migration vs. Involuntary Resettlement D. Involuntary Resettlement and the Environment II. Review of Involuntary Resettlment Experiences III. Involuntary Resettlement Policy IV. Implementation Procedures V. Conclusions

Involuntary Resettlement : I. Introduction

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D. Involuntary Resettlement and the Environment

11. Often, involuntary resettlement is addressed by governments, aid agencies, consultants, and the public under the general category of "environmental problems." This is probably because environmentalists have traditionally been at the forefront in identifying and publicizing the adverse effects of development interventions on environment and people. Therefore, the proper understanding of involuntary resettlement—with its social, cultural, psychological, economic, and environmental ramifications has strategic consequences, because it may lead to a different choice of project options including resettlement actions. Also, the social acceptance of a project by affected people may be critical for a project to proceed without costly delays and adjustments.

12. Understanding the complex social nature of involuntary resettlement should help governments, external agencies, and project managers address the issues with sociological tools of analysis and resources as a process of planned change. Rather than seek mitigation measures only, those involved would focus on involuntary resettlement as a socioeconomic development process through which the resettled people would be helped to reach generally at least the same level of well-being they might have attained in the absence of the development intervention.

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