ABSTRACT
Why a World Commission on Dams? The intensifying controversy surrounding large dams is not about the technical designs themselves, but their social and environmental consequences and the decision making processes that lead to their construction. It revolves around whether a dam is the most suitable option to meet a particular development need, and if so, the extent that its implementation can accommodate the increasing social and environmental concerns. At the heart of the dams debate are issues of equity, governance, justice and power - issues that underlie the many intractable problems faced by society. The World Commission on Dams (WCD) was established as a response to the rising conflicts over dam projects and provided a forum within which all sides could present their views.
