Context: Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded Solar park in Assam is accused of green grabbing.

Background:

• On March 26, the protestors belonging to various political formulations representing tribal bodies rallied against the Assam government’s plans to divert 18,000 bighas (2,396.5 ha) of tribal land to a solar power project supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Key Points

• Green Grabbing is a term used to describe the appropriation of land and natural resources by external entities—be they governments, corporations, or NGOs—in the name of environmental protection, conservation, or sustainable development. 
• While environmental policies and projects are essential for stewarding natural resources, the process of green grabbing often masks deeper issues of power imbalance and the disenfranchisement of local communities.
• Green grabbing is essentially a subset of the broader phenomenon of land grabbing. However, unlike traditional land grabs driven mainly by agricultural or industrial interests, green grabbing is justified using environmental objectives.

Key Drivers and Mechanisms

• Environmental Rationale as a Pretext – Often, green grabbing takes place under the guise of:
  • Biodiversity Conservation: Declaring areas as protected to conserve flora and fauna, which can lead to the exclusion of indigenous populations and local stakeholders.
  • Climate Change Mitigation
  • Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Projects that promote ecotourism or “green” economic development may acquire land to create tourist attractions.
• Institutional and Policy Dynamics – Green grabbing is embedded in a complex network of policies, international negotiations, and financial mechanisms. Key mechanisms include:
  • Carbon Markets: By placing a monetary value on carbon sequestration, governments and corporations can invest in forest projects in ways that might disenfranchise local communities.
  • Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborations between state agencies and private firms sometimes redefine land ownership or usage rights, leading to shifts in control under the banner of environmental improvement.
  • Legal Reforms: Changes in land-use laws or regulations can formalize processes that allow for the simplification of resource appropriation for “green” projects.

Socio-Economic Impacts

• Displacement of Local Communities – When land is reclassified for environmental conservation or commercial green initiatives, indigenous communities gets displaced.
• Loss of Traditional Rights: Communities that have managed and lived on these lands for generations may see their rights revoked or significantly restricted.
• Economic Marginalization: New regulatory frameworks or ownership models favor external investors or government agencies, which can disrupt local economies and traditional practices.
• Social Conflict: The ensuing struggle over land rights often triggers conflicts between local populations and external actors, exacerbating social and economic inequities .

Source: Down To Earth