Compensation for involuntary resettlement of rural populations

AGREP Division Working Paper N°36, Prepared for the World Bank Economics and Policy Division – Agriculture and Rural Development Department.

The exploitation of natural resources or improvement in resource management by investment or rule making–involves compensation; development projects often require a large amount of involuntary resettlement of rural population. For example, deferral of tree cutting or limitations on fish catch nay require compensation. Reforestation projects may require large amounts of land presently under habitation or slash-and-burn agriculture.