Catalog

	Table of Contents
p. 2 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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A. Projects Involving Displacement of People

5. Any development project that introduces significant changes in the patterns of use of land, water, or other natural resources may entail some adverse impacts on people who are currently using such resources and associated economic, social, cultural, and religious facilities. A large variety of projects involve acquisition or redirection of use of lands that are owned or utilized by individuals and communities. Examples of such projects are (i) construction of dams for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation; (ii) construction of highways, railways, and irrigation canal networks; (iii) construction of transmission lines and other facilities requiring rights-of-way; (iv) construction of airports; (v) construction, rehabilitation, or expansion of ports and towns; (vi) construction or improvement of urban infrastructure such as sewerage, subways, intracity roads, and more generally urban systematization; (vii) establishment of coal-fired thermal power generation plants and other polluting industrial plants; (viii) inception of mining operations, and particularly strip-mining; (ix) establishment of protected nature parks, biodiversity and conservation areas, grazing areas and transhumance² routes; and (x) forestry development, including reforestation, industrial tree plantations, clearing/harvesting of forests, and closure of forest areas.

6. Many of these projects may be of crucial importance for local, regional, and national development. However, they may also give rise to conflicts between long-term national development goals and interests of communities and individuals who are immediately and adversely affected. It is important to weigh the benefits against the costs of adverse impacts by examining development options that entail either no resettlement or minimal social and economic dislocation, and to find the means to reconcile the conflicting interests. Where resettlement is unavoidable, concrete measures must be taken to (i) protect the lives and welfare of those displaced by the projects; (ii) reduce and redress the loss of economic potential incurred by the affected people, and the local and regional economies; and (iii) assist in developing the economic, social, and cultural potential of the people and the communities so affected.

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