Search citation statements
Paper Sections
Citation Types
Year Published
Publication Types
Relationship
Authors
Journals
The present paper critically examines water‐assisted developmental projects and their associated conflicts through the lens of political ecology, with a particular focus on hydroelectric power generation in the Global South. These projects often catalyze localized socio‐cultural, political, and ecological tensions, especially in indigenous territories where human–nature relationships have evolved through colonial and postcolonial ecological transformations. Our approach conceptualizes political ecology to explore the multidimensional conflicts tied to such projects, using the Turga Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project in the Purulia district of West Bengal, India, as a case study. This region exemplifies the socio‐ecological conflicts between state‐led hydroelectric initiatives and the local indigenous communities, providing critical insights into the broader dynamics of water‐based development in the Global South. The five primary areas of inquiry in this paper include (1) the environmental ramifications of the Turga Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project on Purulia's landscapes, wildlife, and ecosystems; (2) the social consequences that have emerged, including displacement, resource access disparities, and challenges to local livelihoods; (3) the power dynamics that shape the decision‐making processes surrounding the project, shedding light on the role of government policies and corporate interests; (4) comparative analyses with similar hydroelectric projects globally, providing valuable insights into the uniqueness of the Purulia case; and (5) the policy implications and recommendations to ameliorate the conflicts and foster a more sustainable and equitable approach to hydroelectric development. This study highlights the critical role of political ecology in understanding human–nature conflicts and resource management. It emphasizes the need for an integrative approach that considers both technological and socio‐political aspects. The Turga Pumped Storage Project in Purulia offers broader insights into the global challenges of sustainable energy and climate change, underscoring the importance of inclusive and environmentally responsible energy production and resource management.
The present paper critically examines water‐assisted developmental projects and their associated conflicts through the lens of political ecology, with a particular focus on hydroelectric power generation in the Global South. These projects often catalyze localized socio‐cultural, political, and ecological tensions, especially in indigenous territories where human–nature relationships have evolved through colonial and postcolonial ecological transformations. Our approach conceptualizes political ecology to explore the multidimensional conflicts tied to such projects, using the Turga Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project in the Purulia district of West Bengal, India, as a case study. This region exemplifies the socio‐ecological conflicts between state‐led hydroelectric initiatives and the local indigenous communities, providing critical insights into the broader dynamics of water‐based development in the Global South. The five primary areas of inquiry in this paper include (1) the environmental ramifications of the Turga Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project on Purulia's landscapes, wildlife, and ecosystems; (2) the social consequences that have emerged, including displacement, resource access disparities, and challenges to local livelihoods; (3) the power dynamics that shape the decision‐making processes surrounding the project, shedding light on the role of government policies and corporate interests; (4) comparative analyses with similar hydroelectric projects globally, providing valuable insights into the uniqueness of the Purulia case; and (5) the policy implications and recommendations to ameliorate the conflicts and foster a more sustainable and equitable approach to hydroelectric development. This study highlights the critical role of political ecology in understanding human–nature conflicts and resource management. It emphasizes the need for an integrative approach that considers both technological and socio‐political aspects. The Turga Pumped Storage Project in Purulia offers broader insights into the global challenges of sustainable energy and climate change, underscoring the importance of inclusive and environmentally responsible energy production and resource management.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.