Resettlement Caused by Jatigede Dam Project -Consequence of Long Delayed Implementation of a Project

Abstract

Jatigede dam was constructed in Sumedang Regency of West Java Province, Indonesia. It was planned as early as the 1960s. The World Bank cancelled its financing for the reason of insufficient resettlement planning in 1986, but land acquisition for the dam continued and cash compensation was provided to affected villagers. In spite of the suspension of land acquisition in 1997, the Chinese Government became the new sponsor and dam construction started in 2005. Inundation began in 2015 and the villagers were resettled mainly to the vicinity of the reservoir. The construction was completed in 2015. Most of the cash compensation was provided during the mid-1980s. As three decades have passed since the provision of the compensation, resettlers who received the money conceived that the dam construction project has been cancelled. They spent the money at their original place and did not invest for the resettlement. Today, most of the resettlers are jobless and poor. Their incomes are below the international poverty line. Aquaculture at the reservoir is one of the possible options to improve local economy, but the local government prohibits it to avoid deterioration of water quality.