Publisher's Synopsis
The book entitled "Developmental Projects and Implications for Society: the Dul Hasti Project" is based on empirical studies conducted in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir [J & K] in India. The main thrust in this book has been to highlight and analyze the implications of developmental projects in developing India. Main focus, however, has been put on the consequences of such projects on the social set up and institutions. The first chapter on Introduction provides an outlook and firsthand view of the developmental projects in J & K in particular and in India in general. It provides a picture of the hydel and power projects with the main implications for peoples and society. The second chapter entitled "Hydroelectric Projects in J&K" gives a detailed description of such projects in the Indian state of J&K. It also highlights major such projects in various other states so that a conclusive debate may be drawn regarding the various aspects involved with these projects like about infrastructure, economy and labor, policies and programmes, implementation and aftermath etc. The third chapter entails all the positive consequences of power projects for the people and the society of the concerned and the adjoining areas. Various issues like tourism, infrastructural development, compensation and jobs, housing policies and rehabilitation have been discussed at length as well. After counting the merits of the developmental projects, the fourth chapter has incorporated all the negative consequences. Negative impacts on the social structure and institutions, the economic system and market, religion and belief system have been extensively debated here. In the final chapter on "Conclusion and Suggestions" the author has tried to sum up with a generalization of varied empirical data as to whether the developmental projects have actually brought some developments or there are exactly new situations of social anomie arising out of them. It has been concluded that looking through a sociological perspective, the demerits arising out of these projects have surpassed the positives thereof. Relevant suggestions to reduce the social damage have thus been formulated.
