The Challenges of Hydropower Development in Nepal: An actor-network analysis on power positions and interests in the light of sustainability
Authors
Losang, Tenzin Jamyang Norbu ; Nielsen-Hannerup, Jeppe
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2018
Submitted on
2018-06-01
Pages
95
Abstract
Nepals regering ønsker, at vandkraft skal være en drivkraft for landets økonomi. For at begrænse miljøskader er der indført regler, der blandt andet kræver offentlig inddragelse. Vandkraftselskaber skal udarbejde miljøvurderinger og samle dem i rapporter kaldet IEE (Initial Environmental Examination) eller EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment). Alligevel peger forskning og erfaringer på, at både økosystemer og lokalsamfund påvirkes negativt af vandkraftudbygning. Denne afhandling undersøger indholdet af IEE- og EIA-rapporter og de retningslinjer, der styrer dem, for at forstå, hvordan beslutninger om vandkraft træffes i praksis set i et socio-teknisk perspektiv (altså samspillet mellem sociale aktører og teknologi). Målet er at give anbefalinger, der kan forbedre de nuværende retningslinjer for vurderinger. Analysen bygger på aktør-netværksteori (ANT), som kortlægger, hvordan mennesker, myndigheder, virksomheder, dokumenter og teknologier indgår i netværk af indflydelse. Vi bruger begreber som matters of concern (hvad aktører oplever som vigtige problemstillinger) og translation processes (hvordan interesser omformes, når de bevæger sig gennem netværket). Det hjælper med at synliggøre magtstrukturer, åbne lukkede sortbokse og vise, hvordan nogle aktørers interesser bliver fortrængt eller overset. Metodisk kombinerer vi etnografiske og digitale metoder. Vi har gennemført deltagerobservation og semistrukturerede interviews i to casestudier og analyseret digitalt indsamlede data om weblinks og netværk af artikelcitationer. Vi anvender både kvantitative og kvalitative data, men analysen er kvalitativ. Resultaterne viser et misforhold mellem det, rapporterne lover, og det, lokale beboere oplever. Retningslinjer hjælper ikke, hvis myndigheder undlader at håndhæve deres egne regler. Manglende ansvarlighed ses især i den næsten totale mangel på monitorering af vandkraftprojekter. Vi anbefaler at gå videre end blot lovgivning ved at mobilisere aktører, der har både motivation og handlekraft til at presse på for bæredygtige ændringer. Her forstås bæredygtighed som, at alle berørte aktører har adgang til at deltage i vandkraftnetværket og blive hørt.
The Nepali government seeks to make hydropower a driver of the national economy. To limit environmental harm, regulations require public engagement and environmental assessments. Hydropower companies must prepare reports known as IEE (Initial Environmental Examination) or EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment). Yet research and on-the-ground experiences indicate that ecosystems and local communities still face negative impacts from hydropower development. This thesis examines the content of IEE and EIA reports and the guidelines that shape them to understand how hydropower decisions are made in practice from a socio-technical perspective (the interplay between social actors and technology). The aim is to provide recommendations that strengthen current assessment guidelines. Our analysis uses actor-network theory (ANT), which maps how people, authorities, companies, documents, and technologies form networks of influence. We draw on concepts such as matters of concern (what actors see as important issues) and translation processes (how interests are reshaped as they move through the network). These help reveal power structures, open up black boxes, and show how some actors’ interests are displaced or neglected. Methodologically, we combine ethnographic and digital approaches. We conducted participant observation and semi-structured interviews in two case studies and analyzed digitally collected data on website hyperlinks and article citation networks. We use both quantitative and qualitative data, but the analysis is qualitative. Findings point to a gap between what impact assessment reports state and what local people experience. Guidelines are insufficient when authorities do not enforce their own rules. This lack of accountability is most evident in the near absence of monitoring of hydropower projects. We recommend moving beyond legislation by mobilizing actors who have the motivation and agency to push for sustainable change. Here, sustainability is understood as ensuring that all affected actors can participate in the hydropower network and have their concerns heard.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
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