STRATEGIES FOR DISPLACED PEOPLE IN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS: A CASE STUDY OF THAR COAL FIELD AREA IN SINDH

Abstract

Resettlement is one of the core issues of mega development projects, especially in developing countries. Previous experiences have shown that in Pakistan resettlement has remained one of the highest ranked problems. In this regard, the present study was conducted in the Coal area of district Tharparkar. Using the descriptive survey method, a sample of 290 respondents were personally interviewed. Qualitative as well as quantitative data was analyzed and reported. During the survey of the area and study of secondary sources of information revealed that Thar coal field is spread over 9100 square kilometers. However, the major Thar coal area is limited to 1109 square kilometers, which possesses about 30 billion tons of the coal reserves. Efforts have been made to depict the qualitative and quantitative information of this area with especial reference to human, social, physical, natural and financial capital. The Major conclusion of this study revealed that like other parts of Tharparkar district, Thar coal field area is less densely populated. Rain fed agriculture with livestock is a major source of income, contributing 64% of the total household income. The overwhelming majority (89%) of the households reported goats while 55% possessed the cattle. For transportation and digging water, the donkey was major source, as reported by 93% of the household. Poverty, illiteracy, unemployment is basic issues of the dwellers. Hence, it is one of the assumption that due consideration is invited for developing a resettlement plan of the Thor Coal field area. Despite less income opportunities, local dwellers prefer to stay in their ancestral lands due to natural sceneries of Tharparkar and more peaceful area. Relatively higher growth rate of population (3.13 %) in Tharparkar as compared to growth rate (2.8%) of whole Sindh. Population of Non-Muslims, especially Hindus are relatively higher in Thar coal field areas like Tharparkar district in comparison to other parts of the country where the proportion of Non-Muslims is around 3%. After partition (1947) majority of the Non-Muslims population migrated to other countries especially to India.