The impact of decision-making on conflict: Rethinking the roles of technocrats and residents during Tidal River Management in coastal Bangladesh
Nath, Sanchayan; Shams, Jahin; van Laerhoven, Frank; Driessen, Peter
(2022) Land Use Policy, volume 117, pp. 1 - 13
(Article)
Abstract
Tidal river management (TRM) is a building-with-nature practise which was locally developed to tackle the problems of polderization in the south-western delta of Bangladesh. This practise was subsequently adapted by public agencies. However, all TRM sites are associated with violent conflict. While law-enforcement agencies have often struggled to bring such
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conflict under control, there is variation in the extent to which conflict associated with TRM has been resolved at different study-sites. However, different decision-making approaches have characterized different implementations of TRM. Different implementations of TRM are also characterized by differences in the role of civil society organizations (CSOs). Therefore, this article hypothesizes that variation in conflict resolution is associated with variation in decision-making approaches and role of CSOs. Accordingly, the research question that this article seeks to answer is: How can conflict be resolved for the effective planning and implementation of TRM? This question is answered by analysing 5 case-studies on TRM using a typology of three different decision-making approaches: technocratic, participatory and sociocratic. Using data collected via 2 focus-group discussions, 66 semi-structured interviews and secondary research, this article analyses issues associated with power differentials, dysfunctional consensus, differences between local & scientific knowledge and the role of CSOs in resolving conflict. This research reveals that conflict during TRM implementation can be successfully resolved by the development of conflict resolution mechanisms which are locally-respected and are also considered trust-worthy by the elite. The elite will become more receptive to engaging with the public if TRM implementation is characterized by sociocratic decision-making.
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Keywords: Conflict, Land-use, Polder, Technocratic participatory and sociocratic decision-making, Tidal River Management, Forestry, Geography, Planning and Development, Nature and Landscape Conservation, Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
ISSN: 0264-8377
Publisher: Elsevier Limited
Note: Funding Information: Two successful informal implementations of TRM at Beel Dakatia and Beel Bhayna captured the attention of the bureaucratic and technical elite. Under pressure from locals as-well-as international organizations, BWDB conducted detailed scientific studies (technical, environ-mental, and social) on the feasibility of TRM. National research agencies conducted extensive environmental impact assessments. Such studies confirmed the potential of TRM for reducing waterlogging in the area and for reducing siltation of the local water-ways, in addition to providing other benefits. Detailed blueprints were drawn-up for the phase-wise implementation of TRM across the south-western delta. In addition, while drawing up its plans, BWDB continued to ignore the perspectives of the local public. Locals were not convinced about the proposals made by BWDB on matters such as the timing for implementing TRM, the point of embankment-breach and similar matters. In addition, locals feared that the landed elite and vested interests would draw undue benefits from the project. In the meantime, the national government of Bangladesh had mandated the formation of water management groups (WMGs) and their involvement in water governance. Therefore, BWDB tried to involve local WMGs during the planning and implementation of TRM at Beel Khuksia. However, in spite of such opposition, BWDB went ahead and implemented its TRM blueprint for Beel Khuksia. In other words, the decision-making approach characterizing TRM in Beel Khuksia was technocratic. Therefore, as predicted by theory, implementation was characterized by violent conflict: BWDB and the local landed elite supported implementation; locals, especially the marginalized, opposed implementation. This was probably because plans proposed by the technocrats were not acceptable to the locals. Conflict began before breaching and continued, well after the breached had been closed. Several times locals were injured, and public property was damaged. WMGs were unable to successfully resolve the conflict. This is probably because WMGs were often viewed with suspicion by locals, as they were seen as representing the elite. Scientifically-drawn plans developed by BWDB in Beel Khuksia were no better than the local knowledge-driven TRM implementation in Beel Bhayna and Beel Dakatia. For instance, in Beel Khuksia, BDWB was unable to successfully maintain the flow of sediments through the canal connecting the breach-point to down-stream areas of the beel. Therefore, in contrast to Beel Bhayna and Beel Dakatia, water-logging was reduced primarily near the breach-point ( Gain et al., 2017 ). In addition, BWDB plan’s for social rehabilitation was not very successfully. Its compensation plans received widespread support from the elite. But local public complained that the compensation mechanisms were faulty. Nonetheless, drainage congestion reduced significantly in the local river for a few years. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Authors
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