This study explored tensions between environmental conservation, climate change, sustainable development, eco-tourism and military security through a case study of debates about the feasibility of resettlement of the Chagos Archipelago. Displaced Chagos islanders have long been campaigning for the right to return to their homeland, a British Overseas Territory in the Indian Ocean. Resettlement is controversial: the UK government is concerned about costs, the US government about the security of its Diego Garcia military base, and environmentalists about the delicate ecosystem. Advanced ethnographic fieldwork was conducted to elucidate the meaning of 'return' for the Chagossian community in the context of four decades in exile, intergenerational differences in visions of the future, and a chronic lack of infrastructure on Chagos. Research methods developed within the sociology of scientific knowledge were used to explore the perspectives of environmental scientists. Public consultations were held to facilitate more effective communication between stakeholders – Chagossian groups, their lawyers, support organisations, environmental scientists, conservation groups, tourism companies, and representatives of the UK government – with the aim of developing a collaborative approach to resettlement. Detailed interviews were also conducted with scientific experts to ascertain their assessments of how resettlement would affect the ecosystem of the Chagos Archipelago; with Chagos Islanders in Mauritius and the UK to elicit their unique knowledge of the environment of the Chagos, and ideas about and preferences regarding resettlement; and key business leaders in Mauritius and Seychelles with interests in developing Chagos as an elite or ecotourism resort.Environmental conservation, climate change, sustainable development, eco-tourism and military security through a case study of debates about the feasibility of resettlement of the Chagos Archipelago. Displaced Chagos islanders are campaigning for the right to return to their homeland, a British Overseas Territory in the Indian Ocean. Resettlement is controversial: the UK government is concerned about costs, the US government about the security of its Diego Garcia military base, and environmentalists about the delicate ecosystem. Advanced ethnographic fieldwork will elucidate the meaning of 'return' for the Chagossian community in the context of four decades in exile, intergenerational differences in visions of the future, and a chronic lack of infrastructure on Chagos. Research methods developed within the sociology of scientific knowledge will be used to explore the perspectives of environmental scientists. Public consultations will facilitate more effective communication between stakeholders – Chagossian groups, their lawyers, support organisations, environmental scientists, conservation groups, tourism companies, and representatives of the UK government – with the aim of developing a collaborative approach to resettlement. This research will generate insights into collaborative natural resource management, processes of interdisciplinary collaboration, negotiation and dispute resolution, and knowledge practices in conflict.
The study employed a variety of data collection methods: 1) Public meetings and consultations in Mauritius and the UK involving various stakeholders (Chagos islanders and their descendants; members of Chagossian support groups; current and former civil servants, diplomats and politicians; political activists; consultants; scientific experts; conservationists associated with environmental NGOs; lawyers; social scientists; fisheries businesspeople; artists; and writers): the proceedings were audio-recorded and transcripts were produced. 2) A knowledge exchange workshop in Mauritius with Chagos islanders and their descendants, and conservationists and ecological scientists: the proceedings were audio-recorded and a report was produced. 3) Semi-structured interviews with Chagos islanders and their descendants; scientific experts; and business leaders: depending upon the preference and consent of the interviewee, interviews were either audio-recorded and transcripts produced, or recorded via comprehensive real-time note-taking. 4) Focus groups with Chagos islanders and their descendants (including the core membership of each of the main Chagossian organisations): audio-recorded and transcripts produced. 5) Ethnographic fieldwork with Chagos islanders and their descendants; members of Chagossian support groups; current and former civil servants, diplomats and politicians; political activists; scientific experts; conservationists associated with environmental NGOs; lawyers: participant-observation was conducted in a variety of settings, such as households, neighbourhoods, and events.
