Modelos y métodos de potencial de aprendizaje

3.9.1 Construction Phase

Understanding the real motives of the conflicts necessitates insight about the social and economic conditions of the communities and the repercussion of these conditions on inter communal relations. When inter communal relations are assessed, it can be claimed that the economic activities of the neighbouring villages has the potential to give way to the rise of social conflicts. One concrete example of this is the conflicts that have risen about the usage of pasturelands. Pasturelands are invaluable for the villages. The villagers take their cattle and sheep to pasturelands to feed on grass in spring. The pasturelands have two more functions: The fodder of the animals for the winter is provided from the pasturelands. For this aim the villagers mow grass in summer. Some villages have the chance to provide the firewood from the pasturelands as well. Some conflicts have already been arisen between the neighbouring villages.

Recently Kayalıdere and Kayalıkale are at conflict with each other. The Kayalıdere villagers have accused Kayalıkale villagers of taking their cattle to the pasture area of Kayalıdere. The issue has been taken to court and the court has not announced its decision yet.

Kayalıkale villagers, on the other hand, claim that Yeşilpınar villagers are taking their animals to the pasture area of the Kayalıkale. The tension had risen to such extent that a few incidents had taken place between two communities in the past.

Aligedik and Dumlusu villagers had tensions with each other due to the pastureland border violations. The intervention of the prominent of the two communities had averted the deterioration of the relations.

Sudurağı and Tepeköy villagers are not on good terms due to pastureland violations. A few incidents had taken place between the two communities. Recently both sides are cautious and act reasonably to avoid any conflict.

The relations of Akkonak and Göçmenler has soured since the decision of land allocation for the relocation of the Göçmenler villagers have been taken. Akkonak villagers argue that the pastureland of the village is barely enough for the village. Göçmenler villagers, on the other hand, claim that they have already spent the money that had been paid for their homes and lands at the construction site of the Alpaslan II HEPP Project. They also add that under these circumstances they do not have another option, but to build their own houses at the designated location.

The construction phase may witness the deterioration of inter communal relations due to pastureland usage. Because the Project does not only require the allocation of privately owned lands, but also the pasturelands of some of the villages and treasury lands.

Moreover the issue bears the risk of increase in the tension between different ethnic groups. There are overwhelmingly two ethnic identities in the area of influence. Some villages are Kurdish some are Circassian and some are the mixture of the two. Currently the ethnic groups live in harmony in

Hizmete Ozel Page 104 of 160

the region. Yet it should be borne in mind that any conflict about the usage of the pastureland or any other issue between two or more neighbouring communities may turn into an ethnic conflict. Host community issues may also arise during physical resettlement. Small villages such as Kayalik, and Ulusirt have voiced their concerns about hosting newcomers. They said, “We do not want some of the Tepekoy residents to come to over village; our village is small and peaceful, they are troublemakers. They are not welcome here”. Rural resettlement may be problematic since most of the villages do not want to share their pastures with newcomers.

In urban settlements, such as Muş central and Varto central, as district centres are prone to growth, migration is welcome. The district centres are investing in infrastructure to accommodate the growth.

Table 3.22. Construction Phase impacts on Social Conflicts Table x: Impacts on Social

Conflicts Construction period Criteria Assessment Thresholds Direction Description Characterization of Impact

Direction of the impact Negative Inter communal relations may deteriorate due to

pastureland usage. Host community issues may also arise. Some villages have already voiced their concerns about hosting the newcomers.

Type of Impact Direct/Indirect The Project may both directly and indirectly give rise to social conflicts.

Reversibility Reversible Establishing a sound community relations policy and taking precautionary measures can decrease the possibility of occurrence of social conflicts. Geographic extent Local Impact is limited to communities that are within

Alpaslan II Project AoI. Time when the impact

occurs

Immediate Impacts starts with the expropriations.

Duration Long term Impact is expected to last throughout construction phase.

Likelihood of appearance Possible Mitigating the adverse impacts will reduce the likelihood of occurrence.

Significance Moderate Effects are measurable and result in concern among the stakeholders.

Magnitude Medium The Project may cause deterioration between

Hizmete Ozel Page 105 of 160

3.9.2 Operation Phase

The Project’s impact on the pasturelands may have long term consequences. Inter communal conflicts may exacerbate during the operation phase unless precautionary measures are taken. If the process is managed well, then it can be possible not to confront with many difficulties during the operation phase.

Table 3.23. Operation Phase impacts on Social Conflicts

Criteria Assessment Thresholds

Direction Description

Characterization of Impact

Direction of the impact Neutral If the process is managed well, then it can be possible not to confront with many difficulties during the operation phase.

Type of Impact Not Applicable The Project may both directly and indirectly give rise to social conflicts.

Reversibility Reversible It is expected to conclude the expropriation process till the end of the construction phase.

Geographic extent Local Impact is limited to communities that are within Alpaslan II Project AoI.

Time when the impact occurs

Long term Some problems that may give rise to social conflicts can be solved during the operation phase.

Duration Long term Impact is expected to last throughout construction phase.

Likelihood of appearance Unlikely It is expected that the main problems that may give rise to inter communal conflicts will be solved during the construction phase.

Significance Moderate The effects will be measured during the construction phase. Some minor issues can be left to the operation phase.

Magnitude Low The effect of the Project on inter communal relations can be profound.

3.9.3 Mitigation

The current situation in the area of influence suggests that the real motive behind the conflicts is economic. Hitherto a few minor incidents had taken place between neighbouring villages. However the loss of pasturelands may further escalate tensions.

Hizmete Ozel Page 106 of 160

Mitigating the effects of the loss of pastureland hence is of vital importance. The cooperation of the Province Directorate of Agriculture, the Varto District Directorate of Agriculture and other relevant state institutions is critical. The improvements of the remaining pasturelands may help compensate the loss. In addition to this negotiating with relevant state institutions can culminate in the allocation of new areas. These areas can be improved to be used as pasturelands.

In addition to these other means of replacing the loss of pasturelands can be sought. In this sense the cooperation of the development agencies, NGO’s and consulting firms specialized on agriculture and animal husbandry can provide invaluable contributions. Pilot projects can be implemented to introduce modern techniques in animal husbandry and agriculture. Other income generating activities, such as carpet / rug weaving, inlacing and entrepreneurship can be introduced with the assistance of public education centres and Turkish Employment Organization. All these efforts can help mitigate the negative impacts of the Project.

In order to mitigate host community issues, rural settlement selection is critical. PAPs should not be resettled to settlements that are already constrained on resources. If the PAPs prefer urban settlement, they should be trained on life in the city, apartment life to adapt easily to the requirements of a city.

Hizmete Ozel Page 107 of 160