Resident Well-Being in Conservation Resettlement: The Case of Padampur in the Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal

A citizen-initiated resettlement program in Padampur, Nepal, within the Royal Chitwan National Park, has shown promising results for resident well-being. Unlike traditional forced resettlements, which often lead to negative socioeconomic outcomes, this study found that most respondents reported being socially and economically better off in their new location. While voluntary and forced resettlement groups differed in overall satisfaction and perceptions of land quality and employment, they shared positive evaluations of land ownership, housing, physical infrastructure, health, social ties, and support services. The findings suggest that future conservation-related resettlements could benefit from adopting elements of the Padampur model, with potential improvements focusing on economic status, food and nutrition, and reducing marginalization.

Dhakal, N. P., Nelson, K. C., & Smith, J. L. D. (2011). Resident Well-Being in Conservation Resettlement: The Case of Padampur in the Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Society & Natural Resources, 24(6), 597–615. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941921003709633