ABSTRACT
Constructions of dams have been viewed significant and inevitable to solve various social and economic problems of the country. Since Independence, the Central and State Governments’ of India are undertaking large dams based on these assumptions. Governments are still in the process of damming most of the rivers in India despite of the fact that already constructed dams’ have failed miserably to deliver their optimal. The Governments’ have been unsuccessful to take into consideration their precise environmental, social and legal dimensions. In most of the cases of dams induced displacement, the affected people have not been rehabilitated and resettled till date. The adverse environmental consequences of large dams can also not be denied. Having this background in mind, the objective of the present paper is to make analyses of the social, legal and environmental impacts of the kol dam in State of Himachal Pradesh. The authors also tender some suggestions how adverse consequences of large dams can be minimized and addressed to. The present study is empirical in nature and is based on primary data gathered from affected areas of the Kol dam.
