National Institute of Advanced Studies

Indian Institute of Science Campus

Bengalure-560012

Thesis  Proposal  Presentation

Title: Contestations over urban land and environment: Negotiating citizenship in the hills of Guwahati

Date: Tuesday, 23 January 2018

Speaker: Mr. Snehashish Mitra

Time:  11:30 am

Venue:  Conference Hall II, NIAS

Abstract:

The proposed study is an in-depth ethnographic exploration of migrant settlements and settlers on the hills of Guwahati. The study will examine how these migrants – who largely belong to the indigenous communities across the states of Northeast India and mainly work in the informal urban economy, negotiate a place to live in the city. These migrants are often subjected to ‘forced migration’ due to conflict and natural calamities in different parts of Northeast India. At the micro-level, the study will explore the strategies and practices of settlers in claiming space in the city, through participatory as well as adversarial practices, amidst allegations – by state and civil society actors – of illegal occupation of the hills and consequent ecological degradation attributed to these settlements. At a macro level, the study will address how the pattern of urbanisation in Guwahati has been shaped by various national level policies such as ‘Act East Policy’ and ‘Smart City Mission’.

All are invited to attend