6.1 Managing social i mpacts
There are various issues that require management to ensure that change affecting communities and individuals is effectively managed during the planning,construction and operation of hydropower facilities.Possible social impacts that require consideration areidentified below.
1.Changes to resource use and biodiversity in t he area of the pr oposed pr oject and the i mpacts this may have on the local community.
2.Distribution of benefits among affected parties.
3.Effectiveness and on-going perfor mance of compensatory and benefits programmes.
4.Public health issues t hat can result fr o mt he modification of hydr ological systems,especially in tropical and sub-tropical areas,where water-bor ne diseases can be a significant issue.In some reservoirs,a f urther concer n is the management of the temporar y rise of mercur y levels in fish.(https://www.daowen.com)
5.Thei mpacts of displacement on individuals and communities.Theseimpacts include:
The physical l oss of ho mes and lands;
The transition to alternative means of earning alivelihood,particularly for populations that rely heavily on local land and resources f or t heir way of life or t hat have a traditional existence;
Disr uption of established co mmunity net wor ks and loss of cult ural identity.