NIAS Thesis Proposal Presentation: "Contestations over urban land and environment: Negotiating citizenship in the hills of Guwahati" by Mr. Snehashish Mitra, Conference Hall II, NIAS, 1130hrs
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