Development projects vs. internally displaced populations in India: a literature based appraisal

Abstract

"India has invested in industrial projects, dams, roads, mines, power plants and new cities to achieve rapid economic growth. Available reports indicate that more than 21 million people are internally displaced populations (IDPs) due to development projects in India Although the tribal population only makes up eight percent of the total population, more than 40 percent of the development induced displaced are tribal peoples in India. The difficulties faced by IDPs are numerous but distinct. Their right to participate and contest in the political processes is difficult. Such consequences lead to the requirement of legislations that address not only the issue of compensation, but also of resettlement, rehabilitation and participation in negotiation. Hence, the objectives of the study are to bring forth the impacts of major development projects on Internally Displaced Populations in India." (author's abstract)