Socio-Economic Impact Analysis of Hydropower Projects in Chamba District, Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

In this paper, an attempt has been made to analyse the Socio-Economic Impacts of hydropower projects on inhabitants of Project Affected Zone in District Chamba of Himachal Pradesh. The study is based on primary data collected from six major hydropower projects of district Chamba (three NHPC and three private sector projects). A sample size of 250 respondents collected from affected families through convenience sampling. The indicators under consideration were the impact of hydropower projects on, a) local economy with seven variables, b) infrastructural development with its eight sub variables and c) impact on service sector with twelve variables. Data collected through questionnaire was analyzed by using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. As per the findings it has been observed that hydropower projects helped to change the lifestyle of general public with positive impact on infrastructural development and have large impact on services sector of the area. It has developed the tourism industry in the area, establish market base and enhanced the market and infrastructural development.