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Dams and Development E-Paper Contents

p. -1 of 74 BACK | NEXT Home Page of Dams and Development Foreword I. Why an e-paper on dams and development? II. Assessing options III. Participatory processes IV. Social impacts V. Environmental impacts VI. Benefit distribution VII. Dam safety and sustainability VIII. Existing projects IX. Improving governance X. What other organizations say XI. ADB, Dams, and Development XII. References Contact Us

Indigenous Peoples Policy

In a number of countries in the region, indigenous peoples form a significant proportion of the population affected by dam projects, either due to land acquisition requirements or changes in the river system that modify the resource base of traditional livelihoods.

Special provisions are included in ADB's policy on indigenous peoples to cover the mode of their participation, their special needs, and procedures related to resettlement, compensation and benefit sharing.

Policy objectives, processes and approaches within ADB (paras 31-43)

'In its operations, ADB observes a policy and associated strategies and approaches that recognize the potential vulnerability of indigenous peoples in development processes and that ensure that indigenous peoples have opportunities to participate in and benefit equally from development'. (para 31)

'[Development] Initiatives should be conceived, planned and implemented, to the maximum extent possible , with the informed consent of affected communities, and include respect for indigenous peoples' dignity, human rights, and cultural uniqueness'. (para 31)

'Strategies and approaches to development that affect indigenous peoples must include clear mechanisms for accurate, objective analysis of their circumstances'. (para 32)

'Effective approaches to information dissemination and communication with indigenous peoples communities should be identified, especially where conventional approaches to information dissemination and communication may not be effective'. (para 40)

The Policy (paras 56-61)

'The policy ensures that ADB interventions are affecting indigenous peoples are: …conceived, planned and implemented with the informed participation of affected communities; … (para 57)

'The policy on indigenous peoples ensures that the process of initial social assessment mandated in ADB operations includes specific consideration of indigenous peoples as a potentially affected population'. (para 58)

'As necessary and appropriate, specific institutional development and capacity- building support would be provided to both indigenous peoples' communities and to governments, consistent with ADB's policies and approaches addressing institutional development and capacity building'. (para 60)

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