Author(s): Martin Wilkes; Wan Ying Gan; Nurzalinda Zalbahar; Yit Siew Chin; Salma Faeza Ahmad Fuzi; Leticia Miguel; Norhasmah Sulaiman
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: Ecohydraulics is concerned with the relationships between ecosystems and flowing water that are often disrupted by the construction of riverine infrastructure during economic development. As a discipline, ecohydraulics is therefore intimately involved in development in a way that can have far-reaching consequences for people’s wellbeing, particularly among indigenous communities of the Global South. Among these consequences is a set of health problems related to the ‘nutrition transition’, i. e. the change from wild foods or traditional crops to fatty and sugar-rich foods. This transition is associated with increased risk of malnutrition and non-communicable diseases. In this ongoing research, we are working with an indigenous community of Peninsular Malaysia that has been affected by dam construction for hydropower generation. The results are revealing the drivers of obesity, heart disease and diabetes among adults, and stunting of growth among children of the community. With this paper, we hope highlight some of the social consequences that can be associated with river basin development. We encourage ecohydraulics to reflect on its role within the context of economic development and embrace the participation of indigenous communities wherever possible.
Year: 2018