Contents Executive summary Chapter-1: Introductory Issues
References Appendix-1: Checklist
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seminar paper ( খাসিয়া )
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Appendix-1: Checklist Appendix-2: Consent Form Appendix-3: Abbreviation and acronyms Chapter-1: Introductory Issues Background of the study The term development has reached almost every parts of the globe with its mind-blowing force. Very few words can be found in the human history as over-weighted as this one. It is now influencing almost every level of the structure ranging from local to the global level. Every nations and individuals are striving towards this invaluable destination (Edelman and Haugerud 2005). But, this aspiring destination is going far away from the nations due to its inherent nature. Because, it is an illusion and the more someone will strive to reach it, the more this shadow will move (Sachs 2010). So, what does the word contains which playing such a significant role in the human thought and action? According to Wolfgang Sachs, although it has nothing to provide to the human well-being, but undoubtedly, it has successfully accomplished its prime task, the notion for strive, the notion for escape and always it reminds us about what we don’t have rather than the thing which we have. It allows any intervention to be sanctified in the name of higher goal (2010). However, in course of time, the development protagonists have changed their face with wearing mask in the name of welfare, MDGs and SDGs, but the tacit ideology still dominating the arena of development. Even this modern day, the major aim of development has been circulating within the vicious circle of massive industrialization and economic growth which can be easily grasped if we look at the most sophisticated version of this illusive strategy called Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The concern for global warming and environmental exploitation appeared in the theoretical discussion with global concern around 1990. Thus, SDGs apparently set up its 17 goals on three pillars, namely economic, social and environmental and to be inclusive and promote cultural and other forms of diversity (Reo+20 Report 2012). How much fragile and deceptive was there vision will be clear to us if we just look at the goals fixed by the international elites. Sustainable Development Goal has been defined as the meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland Report 1987). Okay, let the claim remarked as appreciated. They termed SDGs as the harmony with nature and to protect the planet from degradation, goal number 6,12,13,14 and 15 has been set up on the environmental pole, in contrast, on other pole, in goal number 8, they calls for global economic growth equivalent to 3% which is not feasible and seems quite contrasting (Hickel 2019). But, it is historically proved that two contradictory goals never can be achieved at a time. This is the basic propositions of Economics (the bosom friend of development). If you want to get anything more, you have to accept less for other things (opportunity cost). The claim for ensuring environmental sustainability and social harmony cannot be ensured with massive industrialization and aspiring toward economic growth since in this type of race, rich becomes richer and poor becomes poorer and the magnitude of the difference between rich and poor becomes much wider. Despite containing such kind of deception, yet the word development is being used to sanctify any arrogant intervention of the development protagonists. If anyone can attach the term with their functions, officially they get the license to make their functions legitimate. This is the key argument of this proposed research. In favor of the argument of the proposed study, this proposal will make an attempt to the analysis of Bibiyana Gas Field operated by Multinational energy company Chevronas as the case. If we investigating the manipulating strategy of Chevron in the name of community engagement, community development and benevolent of the national economy, apparently it seems as the generosity of this energy company. But, if we just look at the opposite side of the coin, it dictates us about the irreplaceable environmental loss, offering dependency, social transition and economic vulnerability. Albeit, Chevron has made their intervention socially legitimate through merely offering their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs in the name of overall development. This process of making any intervention socially legitimate in the name of development has been metaphorically used with supporting the claim of Sachs (2010) where he postulate that development is a sanctifying tool for making any intervention licensed. Thus, the prime concern of the proposed research will be devoted to upholding the sanctifying power of development through the analysis of the reality in the people’s living condition in the surrounding area of Bibiyana Gas Field. Natural gas was discovered in the area as long ago as 1990. In 2000 Unocal developed a small installation a few kilometers south of the current location of the main ‘pad’. By 2004-2005 a much larger development was being planned using around sixty acres of prime agricultural land. The land was forcibly acquired by the Bangladeshi government and rented to Unocal, who were contracted to develop the site. In 2005 Unocal merged with Chevron and in 2007 the gas field went into production, joining other gas fields operated by Chevron in Moulovi Bazaar and Jalalabad. Today, Chevron produces nearly 50% of Bangladesh’s gas. Given the forcible loss of land, it is hardly surprising that the gas field initially met with substantial local resistance. As soon as people heard of the plans ‘Demand Resistance Committees’ were set up and a series of demands put to Unocal: the rate of land compensation was high on the list, as was connection to the gas supply, which even in 2014 has still not been provided. A school, a hospital, a fertilizer factory and improved roads were also demanded. The negotiations took place in a context of passionate agitation. From the perspectives of the landowners, they were about to lose an irreplaceable resource which sustained not only their own households but also those of many people around them; for some it seemed almost like a loss of self. (Gardner et al 2014). Moreover, in course of time, Chevron has been stimulating the local leaders and made another demarcation within the local community. Frequently, people have made protest. Even, the scenario turns into more severity when Chevron announce for selling their operation to the Chineese consortium Himalaya energy, a member of Zhenhua Oil and Investment firm. This announcement led to the further anxiety among the local workers who were employed by the contractor. Consequently, they protested in front of the Chevron Dhaka office and this was reported by several national and international dailies (Reuters, April 12, 2016, Dhaka tribune, March 7, 2017). This kind of deceptive strategies and disconnected development initiated by Chevron and their representation of local well-being has led to the preparation for this proposed study in order to understand the inner mechanism. Download 1.22 Mb. Share with your friends:
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