Water is critical for a healthy life and economic growth. It supports livelihoods and generates the energy needed for development across many industries. However, mega water development programs such as the construction of dams and associated water supply systems continue to pose risks to the host communities. These water projects alter biodiversity and livelihoods, displace people, and reorganize the environment in multiple ways with long-lasting impacts. Most importantly, the host communities continue to experience inequality in resource utilization and environmental injustices. Despite these potential challenges, the environmental effects and the sociocultural interruptions, such as displacement, resulting from dam construction, are mostly overlooked. In addition, the risks faced by the nondisplaced people due to the construction and operation phases of the dam are not adequately explored. We therefore sought to examine the effects of displacement and inequalities witnessed in the construction of the Thwake Dam Project from 2018 to 2023. Using the concept of hydrocolonialism, we documented everyday experiences at the construction site using photography and reviewed the Resettlement Action Plan as well as the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report for the project. We then conducted a community dialogue through a photo exhibition workshop and organized community experiences into categories for further analysis using document review methods. To ensure equity in resource utilization, issues related to inequalities in water access, control, and use should be discussed and addressed during project design. Hydrocolonialism offers a framework for involving host communities in the design and implementation stages and mitigating injustices that might result from water infrastructure projects.
Shisoka et al. (Wed,) studied this question.
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