ArticlePublisher preview available

Management practices to minimize land use conflicts on large infrastructure projects: examples of dams construction in Pakistan

DOI:10.1007/s10708-021-10532-0
Authors:
Habibullah Magsi at Sindh Agriculture University
Habibullah Magsi
Muazzam Sabir at University of Sargodha
Muazzam Sabir
Andre Torre at Université Paris-Saclay
Andre Torre
Abbas Ali Chandio at Sichuan Agricultural University
Abbas Ali Chandio
Read publisher preview
Download citation
To read the full-text of this research, you can request a copy directly from the authors.

Abstract and Figures

In this research two cases of infrastructure development (Chotiari and Diamer Bhasha Dams) from Pakistan were studied in terms of a superposition of land uses and their consequences. For this purpose, we obtained qualitative information from both primary as well as secondary sources. Primary data were collected through a partially developed questionnaire from pre-selected experts of various professional backgrounds. National and regional dailies along with other published literature were used as a secondary source of information. The findings have identified the key groups of stakeholders and their relative social power at different levels of governance. The results further highlight that unfair land acquisition, improper displacement, mismanagement in compensation, etc., have caused negative impacts on local people and the surrounded environment. The article further emphasizes governance issues and conflicts among different actors due to the project. Finally, we recommend several actions to prevent strong opposition and conflicts in the infrastructural project in developing countries, like the enhancement of the capacities and the capabilities of the local population, the diffusion of information and the involvement of stakeholders, and the application of technical tools and devices.
Figures - available from: GeoJournal
This content is subject to copyright. Terms and conditions apply.
  • A preview of this full-text is provided by Springer Nature.
  • Learn more
Preview content only
Content available from GeoJournal
This content is subject to copyright. Terms and conditions apply.
Management practices to minimize land use conflicts
on large infrastructure projects: examples of dams
construction in Pakistan
Habibullah Magsi .Muazzam Sabir .Andre Torre .Abbas Ali Chandio
Accepted: 8 October 2021 / Published online: 25 October 2021
ÓThe Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2021
Abstract In this research two cases of infrastructure
development (Chotiari and Diamer Bhasha Dams)
from Pakistan were studied in terms of a superposition
of land uses and their consequences. For this purpose,
we obtained qualitative information from both pri-
mary as well as secondary sources. Primary data were
collected through a partially developed questionnaire
from pre-selected experts of various professional
backgrounds. National and regional dailies along with
other published literature were used as a secondary
source of information. The findings have identified the
key groups of stakeholders and their relative social
power at different levels of governance. The results
further highlight that unfair land acquisition, improper
displacement, mismanagement in compensation, etc.,
have caused negative impacts on local people and the
surrounded environment. The article further empha-
sizes governance issues and conflicts among different
actors due to the project. Finally, we recommend
several actions to prevent strong opposition and
conflicts in the infrastructural project in developing
countries, like the enhancement of the capacities and
the capabilities of the local population, the diffusion of
information and the involvement of stakeholders, and
the application of technical tools and devices.
Keywords Infrastructure Conflict Proximity
relations Superposition Pakistan
JEL Classification D74 H54 O16
Introduction
Superposition of land use expectations and competi-
tion over land uses for different projects have
produced conflicts, mainly due to ignorance of rights
(physical or social), forceful displacement, and
delayed justice (Magsi et al., 2017; Torre et al.,
2014; Wehrmann, 2008). The large development
projects especially the dams are directly proportionate
to the increase in the population (demand); but, mainly
affected agricultural lands (Ha et al., 2016), natural
resources (Ostrom & Nagendra, 2006), which has
H. Magsi (&)
Department of Agricultural Economics, Sindh Agriculture
University, Tandojam, Pakistan
e-mail: hmagsi@sau.edu.pk
M. Sabir
Department of Agricultural Economics, University of
Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
e-mail: muazzam.sabir@uos.edu.pk
A. Torre
INRAE AgroParisTech, University Paris-Saclay, Paris,
France
e-mail: andre.torre@wanadoo.fr
A. A. Chandio (&)
College of Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University,
Chengdu, China
e-mail: alichandio@sicau.edu.cn
123
GeoJournal (2022) 87:4851–4861
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-021-10532-0(0123456789().,-volV)(0123456789().,-volV)
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
... The main influence in rural areas, where the game among the three parties is usually represented by "local government-enterprises (developers)-farmers", is reflected in the improper operation of land acquisition, replacement, compensation, and other aspects [18,19]. This leads to government and people compensation disputes, which have a negative impact on the livelihood of local residents and the surrounding environment [20]. To effectively prevent conflicts and benefit rural communities and the surrounding environment [21], the government and enterprises should fully consider the demands of farmers and formulate transparent, open, and clear processes and policies according to the site selection, planning, construction, and management of large infrastructure. ...
How to Rebalance the Land-Use Structure after Large Infrastructure Construction? From the Perspective of Government Attention Evolution
Article
Full-text available
  • Aug 2023
Large infrastructure projects play a crucial role in regional development but can also negatively impact cultivated-land protection. This study focuses on the role of local governments in land-use conflicts and the rebalancing of land-use structures during large infrastructure construction. Using the construction of a reservoir in the Huaihe River as a case study, the research examines the evolution of government attention and the process of township local governments promoting land-use adjustment. The findings reveal that local governments go through a process of “Create–Reinforce–Adjust–Delivery” in their attention to reservoir construction to maximize their interests. Attention fluctuates in terms of reservoir construction, cultivated-land protection, and immigration-development assistance. Biased land-use decisions were made at different stages, leading to four stages of rebalancing efforts: “Generation–Challenge–Marked effect–Continuous negative impact”. This process provides insights into land-use decision-making and the rebalancing of land-use structure. The study suggests that the superior government should guide local governments to enhance attention to cultivated-land protection through laws and policies, while local governments should focus on the quality protection of cultivated land and mitigate the negative impact of rebalancing efforts.
View
... However, as the compensation Award is insufficient, LO is at an absolute disadvantage despite a win-win situation, and NE results in protests and conflicts. The findings can be calibrated with the conflicts of Diamir Bhasha Dam, which were initiated with unfair compensation and turned into violent protests as stakeholders were not involved in the decision-making process (Magsi et al., 2021). ...
A game theory approach to land acquisition conflicts in Pakistan
Article
Rapid urbanization in Pakistan requires new public infrastructures, which necessitates land acquisitions. However, Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (LAA, 1894) is primitive, recessive, complex, and prone to land conflicts, requiring systematic research exploring the logic of the legal conduct. This paper converts LAA, 1894 into an extensive-form game to explain the logic of land acquisition conflicts in Pakistan, as incumbents interact strategically. The Nash equilibrium (NE) of the extensive-form game suggests Land Acquisition Collector has an absolute advantage over settlers, reasoned by flawed compensation assessment. Thus, a bad win-win situation induces illegitimate behavior, extending the paper to Artificial Price Hike and Corruption-based game models. The mixed-strategy NE of both models suggests that illegitimate behaviors remain unchecked because of the high litigation costs, lack of transparency, the informality of land, and insufficient cadastral information. Finally, the models are calibrated with current land acquisition conflicts and legal precedents in the study area. This paper provides generalized interactive game models applicable to study the logic of land conflicts amid legal and policy implementation and suggests policies to improve the land administration and legal system to manage conflicts. https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1hOlkyDvMPnSz
View
... In Pakistan, development-induced displacement problems are caused by the more-than -a-century-old Land Acquisition Act (LAA) of 1894, which lacks provisions for resettlement support and livelihood assistance (ul Haq & ul Haq, 2021;Magsi et al., 2021). The LAA has a 'compulsory acquisition' rule that allows the state to acquire land for the 'public interest' and for other public and private purposes (Ali & Nasir, 2010;Torre et al., 2021). ...
Resettlement delays in the Dasu Hydropower Project: assessing impacts on the affected people and communities
Article
Full-text available
  • Nov 2022
This case study of the Dasu Hydropower Project in Pakistan investigates the impacts of delays in resettlement on project-affected people. The analyses presented here suggest that delays in the implementation of resettlement plans lead to additional socio-economic, environmental and psychological impacts on local communities. In addition, temporary resettlement of some households prior to relocation and resettlement at the planned sites aggravated these impacts, further complicating planned resettlement. The authors argue in favour of resettlement ahead of any civil works to reduce negative project impacts.
View
Land Use Conflicts in the Developing Countries: Proximate Driving Forces and Preventive Measures
Article
Full-text available
This research is aimed to analyse land use conflicts mainly caused by infrastructural development projects in the developing countries. For this purpose, qualitative data is gathered, which is repeatedly published on land use conflicts against the development related infrastructure projects in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan. It identifies and defines land use conflicts, their dynamic features and contestations. The results reveal as to how the conflicts have been germinated by the property and human right violators? Further, it also focuses on the governance roles and responsibilities, the institutional inconsistency towards justice, and the local population's mistrust in the respective case study areas. This analysis concludes with an overview of root causes and consequences of the land use conflicts, by indicating as to how land use decisions for infrastructural settings have changed rural economy, and induced local population to displace and oppose the projects. Finally, on the basis of the results, this article proposes some preventive measures to manage such conflicts. JEL Classification: D74, O16, H54
View
Land-use conflict and socio-economic impacts of infrastructure projects: the case of Diamer Bhasha Dam in Pakistan
Article
Full-text available
  • Jan 2017
This article examines the conflicts arising from the Diamer Bhasha Dam project in northern Pakistan. Conflicts arising from the impacts of the dam on the local population and territory and steps to resolve some of them are identified. These impacts relate to unfair land acquisition, improper displacement, inadequate compensation, resettlement and future livelihoods. The completion of the project depends on the arrangement of project finance, resolution of conflicts among different actors and the consent of all stakeholders. In the light of this case, strategies for improved infrastructure project governance are identified.
View
View
Evaluating and Orienting the Agricultural Land use Systems to Serve the Land use Planning Progress in Viet-Yen District, Bac-Giang Province, Vietnam
Article
Full-text available
  • May 2016
Background/Objectives: The orientation and assessment of land use systems have an important role in the agricultural production development; restructuring of commodity product markets; improvements in income and living standards of the associated communities. Through this research, we aim to assess the potential of land in the Viet-Yen District (Vietnam) in order to provide the basis for boosting its agriculture. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Both primary and secondary data have been collected for this study, where, the primary data were collected through interviewing the farmers on the status and effectiveness of land use under their territory, while using sixty detailed questionnaires from six communes/territories of the District. Findings: Through this research, we came-up with the results of orientation and assessing processes of agricultural land use systems in the Viet-Yen District, while using the maps of land units and the technical efficiency of the farmers, in respect of different cropping seasons at various terrains. From that, the stakeholders can compare the characteristics of the land unit with the requirements of the land use type of the current situation, assess the appropriate extent. Through analyses, we have proposed agricultural and forestry land use and its effectiveness, in accordance with natural conditions, in order to improve land use efficiency. Applications/Improvements: The findings of this study can serve as the scientific basis for the formulation of land use plans and strategies for the district as well as for the country.
View
Doomed to fail? Why some land-based investment projects fail
Article
In recent years, an increased interest in farmland globally has led to the emergence of many land-based investment projects. Although most projects enter the production stage, a significant number also ends in failure. This paper asks why land-based investment projects fail. This is a crucial question as failed investment projects are unlikely to have any positive impacts on the host regions. I develop a conceptual framework to understand the determinants of failure and then use project-level data to empirically test these potential determinants drawing on survival analysis. I find that failure occurs globally but is concentrated on the African continent, with some countries exhibiting a particularly high risk of project failure. In addition, larger projects, projects growing agrofuels, and projects targeting land formerly used by smallholders or pastoralists are more likely to fail. In contrast, projects that involve domestic investors or take place in countries with better infrastructure are less likely to fail. The findings on the impact of host-country institutions on project failure are ambiguous and highlight the need for more localized institutional variables to better understand the role of institutions for project failure.
View
View
Territorial Governance: Local Development, Rural Areas and Agrofood Systems
Book
  • Jan 2011
This work aims to present the most recent developments regarding territorial governance, placing particular emphasis on rural and periurban areas. The reader will find information on the processes of development of European regions, as well as on the behaviours and strategies adopted by the different actors who live in these territories and contribute to the latter's livelihood. The first part of the book analyses the structural changes in the modes of production that have affected these territories. The second part addresses the questions of methodology and of the structures of governance of local development in rural areas. The last section makes an assessment of the geographical indications as tools of governance of local agrifood chains. The book was written by economists, geographers, land use planners and specialists of the questions of governance and management of rural and periurban areas.
View
View
The Future of Large Dams: Dealing with Social, Environmental, Institutional and Political Costs
Article
  • Apr 2012
Viewed by some as symbols of progress and by others as inherently flawed, large dams remain one of the most contentious development issues on Earth. Building on the work of the now defunct World Commission on Dams, Thayer Scudder wades into the debate with unprecedented authority. Employing the Commission's Seven Strategic priorities, Scudder charts the 'middle way' forward by examining the impacts of large dams on ecosystems, societies and political economies. He also analyses the structure of the decision-making process for water resource development and tackles the highly contentious issue of dam-induced resettlement, illuminated by a statistical analysis of 50 cases.
View
View