Government-organized distant resettlement and Three Gorges Project, China

Abstract

Displacement and resettlement associated with the Three Gorges Project in China is at a crucial stage. The previous approach of "near" resettlement, uphill from the dam, has been changed to one of moving large numbers of rural residents out of the reservoir area and settling them in distant agricultural communities. This paper examines the Chongqing reservoir section as a key origin area for the "government-organized distant resettlement" scheme. It examines patterns of distant resettlement to 11 recipient provinces and municipalities in China. Land readjustment in the host communities, compensation and funding for migrants are examined. The Government of China emphasizes "moving out" and "resettling stably" as the key objectives during the physical resettlement or transition period of displacement. However, planning for the restoration of livelihoods and production of the dislocated rural migrants in the new environments remains inadequate. Whether or not distant resettlement can produce a sustainable reconstruction of livelihoods and production as well as local sustainable development in the destination locations remains to be seen.