Mapping the social impacts of small dams: The case of Thailand's Ing River basin

Zali Fung*, Teerapong Pomun, Katrina Charles, Julian Kirchherr

*Corresponding author

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

Abstract

The social impacts of large dams have been studied extensively. However, small dams’ social impacts have been largely neglected by the academic community. Our paper addresses this gap. We examine the social impacts of multiple small dams in one upstream and one downstream village in Thailand’s Ing River basin. Our research is based on semi-structured interviews with beneficiaries, government and NGOs. We argue that small dams’ social impacts are multi-faceted and unequal. The dams were perceived to reduce fish abundance and provide flood mitigation benefits. Furthermore, the dams enabled increased access to irrigation water for upstream farmers, who re-appropriated water via the dams at the expense of those downstream. The small dams thus engendered water allocation conflicts. Many scholars, practitioners and environmentalists argue that small dams are a benign alternative to large dams. However, the results of our research mandate caution regarding this claim.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftAmbio
Vol/bind48
Udgave nummer2
Sider (fra-til)180-191
Antal sider12
ISSN0044-7447
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2019
Udgivet eksterntJa

Emneord

  • Infrastructure
  • Ing River basin
  • Small dams
  • Social impacts
  • Thailand

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