Understanding The Roots Of Water Conflict Using Rights Analysis Framework: A Case Study Of The Struggle For Water Rights In Mining Regions Of Odisha

Abstract

Water conflicts in mining regions are recurring occurrences as the local communities are negatively affected by the excessive water usage and degrading water quality caused by the operations of the mining industry. This dissertation research is based in coalfields of Angul district, central Odisha. It uses the Rights Analysis Framework to deconstruct the water conflict into three domains that is conflicts over access and withdrawal of water resources, conflicts over the contents of rules, regulations and norms affecting water quality and water allocation and lastly, conflicts over decision making authority. The first objective of the study is to gain deeper understanding of ways in which the mining industry and the Odisha Government shape the rules, regulations and norms on water allocation and water quality that leads to water conflict. The second objective is to understand the changes in access to water resources in villages near mining region after mining operations begin and its role in starting water conflict. Qualitative research tools used in the study were semi structured interview guide and focus group discussion. Four mining villages and two non-mining villages were chosen for conducting interviews and focus group discussions. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with government officials, activists and scholars to gain deeper understanding of their perception of water allocation between industry and communities. The findings of the research include that Village of Jarada in Angul district was most involved in protest against MCL for not meeting the demands of water because their access to water resources was restricted. And stakeholders having knowledge on the contents of rules, regulation and norms were able to dispute them. The industry lobbies were able to dispute the setting up of WCF, whereas the activists and local communities were not able to dispute the contents rules, regulations, norms set by the government and the industry on water quality and water usage. The conflicts over decision making authority was visible when the villagers in Hirakund dam questioned the government favoring the industry for allocation of water and the activists raised their voices against the Odisha government‟s allocation of water to heavy water user industries. Hence, water conflicts take place when water rights in the three domains are contested that is right to access and withdrawal of water resources, rights to dispute the contents of rules, regulations and norms and finally the right to participate in decision-making.