Infrastructural Development

Involuntary resettlement of people creates more poverty

Say speakers

21 April 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

Speakers at a press briefing yesterday identified involuntary resettlement of communities as a major challenge of development projects in Bangladesh, which eventually creates more poverty. They pointed out that a suitable policy, which would ensure efficient land acquisition, proper compensation and resettlement of the communities facing displacement, is necessary to reduce the negative impacts of development projects. The briefing on 'Infrastructural development and people: Challenges of resettlement' was organised by Brac Development Institute (BDI) at Brac Centre Inn in the city. BDI Director Prof Syed Mesbahuddin Hashmi said often acquisition of too much land takes place for development projects. For a country with land scarcity and dense population, it poses difficulties for communities. The speakers said some 20,000 households would be displaced for the 6.15km Padma Multipurpose Bridge while about 55,000 people would lose their livelihoods. Under the existing law, only those who can provide papers on land get compensation, they added. Prof Hashmi said thousands of people are uprooted from their homes, many lose their livelihoods and communities become scattered for development projects, causing a huge loss of agricultural lands and crops and creating socio-economic problems. A broader perspective considering all of these issues is necessary while assessing the amount of losses and compensation. Chairman of Power and Participatory Research Centre Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, also a former adviser to a caretaker government, said development of all sectors in Bangladesh, which is a country with large infrastructural gap, is needed. However, sometimes the projects, which are supposed to help reduce poverty, in fact, push more people down the poverty line. Mentioning Kaptai Dam Project as one of the regretful example of development, he stressed the need for a suitable policy, which would ensure efficient land acquisition to reduce the cost of compensation and its proper monitoring. To ensure just compensation and resettlement, it is also necessary to reduce lengthy bureaucratic process, he added. Media Coordinator Mohammad Jahangir and Development and Management Consultant Tahera Yesmin were present.