Dams and Development: A Source of Information, Guidance, and Weblinks Related to Planning and Implementing

Abstract

Mention the word ‘dams’ and strong emotions are likely to emerge—both for and against them. Yet, dams are not a technology that can be ignored. They have provided, and continue to provide, much needed services— water, electricity, agriculture, and flood management. At the same time, we are keenly aware of the associated social and environmental impacts that need to be addressed and mitigated. In some cases, alternative solutions may be better suited to meet development needs. Development challenges remain intense. Although the incidence of poverty reduced from 30% in 1990 to 22% by 2000, the population of the Asia and Pacific Region is growing at an annual rate of 1.2%, with some countries exceeding 4%. Approximately 700 million people lack access to improved drinking water supplies, and clearly, much more is needed to overcome this shortfall in both urban and rural areas. Economies are growing dramatically at rates of up to 10%, with demand for electricity exceeding 15% in places. Climate change is focusing our minds on renewable sources of energy and energy conservation measures. Dams will inevitably be one of the many means to address such development challenges. From 1970 to mid-2005, ADB provided financial support to about 65 projects with dams, either directly to the construction of the dam itself or to associated infrastructure. ADB recognizes the complex nature of issues surrounding dam projects and the opportunities and risks they present. Together with our development partners, we continue to monitor and evaluate our experience and learn lessons for future implementation. Over the past 5 years, ADB has participated in a number of reviews and discussions, and these are referenced in the e-paper. In addition to our standard procedures, we sponsored an independent evaluation study of four dam projects in Asia as a submission to the World Commission on Dams (WCD), and financed regional meetings on dams and development in Hanoi in 2000 and Manila in 2001. We are also active members of the Forum of UNEP’s Dams and Development Project (DDP).