ID: 1971
Presenting Author: Raju Gyawali
Session: 550 - (Re)building trust and transparency to navigate complex energy transitions
Status: pending
This paper highlights that early, meaningful community engagement in a project builds trust and cooperation, overcoming issues, and fostering strong support for the project’s development.
The Dudhkoshi Storage Hydroelectric Project (DKSHEP, 670 MW) is one of the priority and planned projects of Nepal Government, aimed at enhancing national energy security. DKSHEP has been actively implementing meaningful community engagement programs from its early phase to foster trust, reduce misinformation and build cooperative relationships with the affected communities and stakeholders. From 2022 to 2025, extensive public consultation, awareness activities, household surveys were organized, providing a platform for communities to voice their concerns about the project, while allowing the project team to address misinformation through clear and accessible communication.
During the years 2021 and 2022, the notices have been published for acquisition of about 90 percent of private land, out of the total 1,100 ha of private land requirement, restricting sales and mortgages. However, the compensation disbursement for land and structures remains unsettled till date, due to procedural and financial constraints. Despite delays in compensation, affected households have remained patient and supportive, demonstrating trust fostered through consistent community engagement. Additionally, the project’s infrastructure development and livelihood programs have strengthened trust and positive relationship.
The Dudhkoshi experience in Nepal demonstrates that early, consistent, and transparent community engagement can effectively counter misinformation, foster cooperation, and rebuild public trust in large-scale infrastructure development, offering valuable lessons for similar initiatives.
Mr. Gyawali is engaged in environmental and social safeguard activities within Nepal’s energy development sector.