Bridging Traditions and Transformation: Indigenous Peoples and the Lower Kopili Project in India

Hydropower development in tribal areas has led to serious challenges. Large dams often submerge ancestral lands, forests, and sacred sites, causing displacement and loss of traditional livelihoods based on farming, fishing, and forest resources. In many cases, inadequate consultation and compensation have led to social tensions. To balance national energy goals with the rights and welfare of indigenous peoples in India, it is crucial to ensure Free, Prior, and Informed Consent, alongside fair rehabilitation and equitable, culturally appropriate benefit-sharing mechanisms that respect the unique needs and values of these communities.

The project affected a total of 17 villages under the jurisdictions of the Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Councils in India, impacting 1,161 tribal households. It involved the acquisition of approximately 1,577 hectares of land, physically displacing 18 households. About two-thirds of the total area consists of leasehold lands, while the remainder is state forest land.

All affected lands are classified as either patta (long-term leases of 5 years or more) or non-patta (short-term leases of usually 1 year). The leasehold lands are further categorized by land use type, including paddy fields, dry lands, jhum lands, and homesteads, reflecting the diverse agricultural and livelihood practices of the affected tribal communities.

The project implementation process considered both tangible and non-tangible impacts, which focused on cultural practices, spiritual aspects, traditional livelihoods, and community cohesion.

Food
The sudden arrival of about 1,000 workers and officials in villages of around 3,000 people increased local food demand by roughly one-third. This put immediate pressure on village markets, leading to shortages of staples, higher prices, and reduced dietary diversity. While some farmers and traders benefited from increased sales, this strained overall food availability and access for local residents.

The project supported market size expansion and invited nearby village farmers and traders to open their shops at the village’s weekly market. Additional supplies improved food availability and access. The presence of additional vendors reduced shortages and price hikes, and provided households with more choice in staple foods and fresh produce. This also created new income opportunities for surrounding communities.

Transportation
The arrival of heavy construction machinery in the affected villages brought mixed feelings—excitement for job opportunities and better connectivity but also disruptions due to noise, dust, and heavy traffic on narrow roads.

Following multiple consultations, communities suggested mitigation measures, which the project implemented. The contractor built separate access roads for heavy vehicles to reduce congestion and safety risks, and upgraded existing roads for community and construction needs. Construction was confined to daytime hours to minimize noise during nighttime. Regular water sprinkling also helped control dust and protect air quality. These measures reduced conflicts and health concerns, reassured villagers about their safety, and fostered greater cooperation and acceptance of the project.

Cultural and religious practices
The two nature-based cultural prayer areas in Langku were at risk of being submerged, according to a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) technology survey shared during the ADB mission. Project-affected peoples associations also raised this concern.

Following consultations among stakeholders, the local community took ownership of rebuilding and selecting a suitable new location, which combined modern and traditional cultural design elements. The new prayer area will replace the ones that will be submerged. This reflects the community's adaptability and willingness to maintain their cultural and religious practices safely, and preserve their heritage, while accommodating the project's development impacts.

Old Prayer Area (Cave)	Reconstructed Prayer Area

Photo credit: Assam Power Generation Corporation Ltd. 

Falcon Festival
The annual festival in Umrangso in Assam’s Dima Hasao district blends wildlife conservation with rich tribal culture. Set against the scenic backdrop of the Kopili reservoir, it typically takes place between October and December.

The project planned infrastructure development activities in consultation with tribal communities. Construction operations near the festival area were carefully restricted or adjusted to prevent any disturbance to the surrounding environment and to community gatherings. Key mitigation measures included limiting noise levels, minimizing heavy machinery use, and adjusting construction schedules to work around festival events. This approach demonstrated a responsible balance between development and conservation, reflecting strong respect for the region’s ecological sensitivity and cultural significance.

Traditional livelihood
The Skill Development and Livelihood Enhancement Initiative plays a key role in strengthening village-level capacities by providing life skills, self-employment, and entrepreneurship training to help communities convert their abilities into sustainable economic assets. As construction-related job opportunities expanded during the project, many local wage earners temporarily shifted from traditional agricultural practices to construction work, affecting regular farming routines and reducing participation in cultivation. To address this, agriculture-based livelihood training programs were introduced, helping communities revive and retain traditional farming practices, while adopting improved cultivation and harvesting techniques. The initiative supported the continuation of indigenous agricultural traditions and enhanced productivity.

Alongside agricultural interventions, Assam Power Generation Corporation Ltd. implemented a range of need-based training programs covering traditional trades, such as tailoring, carpentry, animal rearing, and nursery management, as well as modern skills involving electrical work and solar technology. These programs also created forward and backward linkages through market connections, credit facilitation, and micro-plan preparation for income restoration. By enabling community members to diversify their skills and access non-agricultural employment opportunities, the initiative reduced dependency on construction jobs and promoted sustainable income generation. In total, 500 candidates from project-affected villages were trained till date across four job roles: gardener and nursery raiser (60), electrician (90),modern nursery management techniques (240), and tailoring (110), contributing significantly to long-term economic resilience within the affected communities.

The project has created a significant footprint in the local area by stimulating infrastructure growth, employment generation, and livelihood opportunities. Through development in roads, health, electricity, education, and community facilities, it has contributed to the overall socio-economic development of the region, while promoting sustainable practices.

Early and meaningful consultations with indigenous peoples helped address cultural sensitivities and strengthened mutual understanding between the project team and the communities. This process contributed to broad community support for the project. Affected persons expressed satisfaction with the commitments made by the Government of Assam and the Autonomous District Councils to address the concerns raised during the consultations. The active participation of youth and village community leaders (Goan bura) fostered a strong sense of ownership and inclusiveness in the project’s design and implementation.

Recognizing non-tangible cultural impacts—such as those associated with ritual spaces and cultural landscapes—proved vital for achieving sustainable outcomes. Traditional prayer areas redesigned in close consultation with Indigenous youth and elders help ensure the preservation of cultural continuity, while adapting to relocated community spaces.

To further strengthen cultural safeguards, the project emphasized continuous consultations with Indigenous Peoples throughout all phases, ensuring that livelihood restoration measures remained culturally appropriate and community driven. In addition, systems were established to monitor cultural impacts, alongside physical resettlement outcomes. The Assam Power Generation Corporation Ltd. documented lessons learned, which were shared to support replication of good practices in future projects in Assam involving indigenous communities.

Asian Development Bank (ADB). Assam Power Sector Investment Program - Tranche 3: Combined Resettlement and Indigenous Peoples Plan.

ADB. 2009. Safeguard Policy Statement.

Assam Power Generation Corporation Ltd. Feature: Lower Kopili Hydro Electric Project.