Asian Development Bank The Environmentally Induced Displaced People in Tamil Nadu: Resettlement Experience and Rebuilding Livelihood

Strategies
C. Valatheeswaran and Dr. S. Irudaya Rajan Centre for Development Studies, Trivandrum, India

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this paper are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), or its Board of Governors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this paper and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. The countries listed in this paper do not imply any view on ADB's part as to sovereignty or independent status or necessarily conform to ADB's terminology.

Introduction
Following the tsunami on 26th December 2004, the coastal regions of Sothern India States (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Andaman Nicobar Islands) were severely affected.

Among the costal regions in India, the Nagapattinam district of the TN State had faced major destruction in terms of dead, injured, missing, displaced people and destruction of infrastructure (see table 1).
Fishing industry faced major damages in terms of the destruction of infrastructure such as harbours, catamarams, boats, and fishing gears. In addition, nearly 9567.09 hectares of agricultural land was sand casted by the tsunami, which led the small and marginal farmers to lose their primary livelihood, land, water, standing crops and fodder. Many studies focusing on the impact of the tsunami on household assets, fishing infrastructure, ground water, soil and agriculture (Kume et al. 2009; Ravisankar and Poongothai, 2008; Mascarenhas and Jayakumar, 2008).
3

Objectives of the Study

To examine the manner in which the displaced people were rehabilitated by the government/NGOs, and the impact of institutional relief assistance on their household assets. In addition, attempt to study the pre- and post-disaster livelihood condition of the internally displaced people in Nagapattinam district.

Data and Methodology

Secondary Data
Department of Disaster Management and Mitigation, GoTN Local NGOs

Techniques of collecting primary data

Field survey 100 sample HHs in two fishing villages Focus group discussion

Rehabilitation Assistance and Its Impact on Capital Assets

Physical Capital
Permanent houses for displaced people within 500m away from the seashore. All the houses were insured for ten years. The Government/NGOs had provided compensation (money and fishing materials) to owners who lost their fisheries infrastructure in the tsunami (See table 2).

Financial Assets
Cash assistance for loss of lives, injured, houses damages Cash dole led to migrating abroad for employment purpose Fishermen families had given their permanent houses to outsiders for rent

Permanent Houses in Nagapattinam District

 Human Asset
Most parents did not allow their childrens to go in for higher education NGOs were provided free education to the children of displaced people at the evening The state government was providing scholarship, free books, bus pass, uniform, and bicycle to children who were studying in the government schools. The government brought in a large number of doctors to treat the injured, to maintain the basic level of hygiene and prevent the outbreak of epidemics. Counsellors were also brought in to talk to the distraught and help them manage the emotional trauma of losing a loved one and coping with the aftermath of such a massive disaster. Government offered free reverse sterilization operation to women who lost children in the tsunami and had previously undergone the sterilization operation
8

 Social Asset
Displaced people were rehabilitated by the organisation of SHGs that provided them with loans and skill development training programmes for restoring their livelihood The government had offered financial assistance to widows to get remarry. Consequently, many men remarried. But widows could not remarry due to lack of support from their community and family NGOs had provided them employment training and micro credit to strengthen their livelihood. Participation in the local political parties

Natural Asset
Influx of seawater caused salinization problems for soil and ground water, and also induced salt injuries in crops Salinization problem were recovered after a period of time due to the monsoon rainfall in the district The ADB had provided Rs. 895 lakhs to repair and improve the damaged water supply system and public toilet facilities in the tsunami affected villages. Added to that, the State Government had also provided an amount of up to Rs. 403.2 lakhs for the water supply scheme. 9

Skill Development Training

10

Impact of tsunami on traditional livelihood option

Due to the tsunami, certain types of fish had disappeared resulting in a fall in the overall fish production. As a result, people diversified their income generating activities into other casual labour jobs. Women who were selling fish before the tsunami found new occupations such as tailoring and retail business after the tsunami. Young women work in the beauty parlour, computer centers and nursing jobs in private and government hospitals. Men switched their primary occupation from fishing to other occupation such as running auto-rickshaw, electrical work, migration to abroad, and mechanical jobs NREGP had helped them to enhance their livelihood security
11

Thanks for your attention

12