Environmentalism of the Poor in the Face of Hydropower Expansion in South Asia

Abstract

This paper investigates counter-hegemonic strategies by examining the socio-ecological protests of indigenous peoples and other marginalized groups against hydropower development in South Asia, with a focus on decolonizing the impacts of mega infrastructure projects. The paper explores opportunities for change within the contexts of community displacement caused by hydropower dams and the related challenges faced by communities in Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Bhutan. Drawing on the Environmentalism of the Poor, this study analyzes the actions taken by these communities, including legal challenges, protests, grassroots mobilization, and the development of alternative discourses of progress. Emphasizing the agency of women, indigenous peoples, and small farmers, it highlights their critical role in resistance struggles for environmental conservation, biodiversity protection, structural equality, equity, and the preservation of indigenous knowledge. Civil society opposition to hydropower development not only seeks to protect local livelihoods but also contests the hegemonic development paradigms that prioritize technical rationality in power generation and economic growth. The paper calls on authorities and policymakers in South Asian countries to adopt social and participatory development frameworks that respect people’s rights and foster a fair transition toward sustainable energy systems.