DAMS DISPLACEMENT AND RESETTLEMENT IN HIMACHAL PRADESH: A STUDY OF CHAMERA DAMRajneesh SharmaAbstract In the recent years, there has been a growing debate on the usefulness, or otherwise, of large and multipurpose dams being planned and built for irrigation and hydro-electric purposes. While government has been clearing these projects, various environmentalist, scientist, activists and peopleâs organisations from different parts of the country have been raising critiques and questions about long term contribution of these dams. Large dams have led to the involuntary displacement of millions of people over the last century. The problem of shifting and rehabilitation of settlements is required to be given a thorough consideration. Despite the severity and scale of the trauma of displacement, India is yet to formulate a national rehabilitation policy. The specific purpose of this study has been to investigate the issue of displacement and resettlement by looking into the experiences of people affected by the construction of the large dams, to assess their reaction, receptivity, and outlook towards the projects and to evaluate the rehabilitation process for the affected population in Himachal Pradesh with special reference to Chamera Dam in Himachal Pradesh. The interview method was adopted for collecting the data. Survey has been conducted with the help of a well designed interview schedule. |