Livelihood status of resettlers affected by the Saguling Dam project, 25 years after inundation

Abstract

A study of the effects of the Saguling Dam project has been conducted. This paper attempts to examine the long-term effects of the dam construction on the livelihoods of the displaced people, paying special attention to any effects caused by inequality of access to resettlement schemes. The study results indicate that the majority of the resettlers perceived their livelihoods as being better after their resettlement. However, loss of jobs or conversion to less preferable or beneficial occupations caused by the project has affected their satisfaction level. In addition, inequality of access to options of the resettlement scheme has caused differences in socio-economic status among the resettlers. Furthermore, in the long term, the option has also failed to indemnify resettlers from lost livelihoods due to environmental and socio-economic constraints. For future resettlement programmes, the authors propose that policy makers should employ analysis instruments which can precisely predict long-run impacts, while local backgrounds and dynamics are important to be considered to secure the success of resettlement programmes.