Published Paper Details:

Indira Sagar Project (Polavaram Dam) the largest in history, about to complete in Andhra Pradesh, brings with it many social and environmental concerns. The project has displaced many tribal communities, putting strain on the social fabric of the area and, in the process, drawing our attention to issues of structural violence. In terms of environmental concerns, the Indira Sagar Project makes the area far more vulnerable to ecosystem disruption through erosion and landslides, among other things. This study explores the implications of the Indira Sagar Project in the context of environmental and social issues. In this paper an attempt has been made to understand the historical and physical background of the Indira Sagar Project and extent of land acquisition for the project. The emphasis here is to know the nature, extent of submergence of the total area and magnitude of population displacement. The paper also deals with the response of displaced people, local organization, political parties, NGOs, and civil societies against the project.