Project Developer

Your role, objectives, private information and round-by-round instructions.

1. Who are you?

You represent a private company proposing an industrial and renewable energy complex in Badakichab village. The project requires approximately 120 hectares of land. The company says the project will create jobs, improve infrastructure and contribute to India's energy transition. Your responsibility is to make the project commercially viable while managing delays and land-related risks.

2. Your objectives

Secure sufficient land for the proposed project.
Keep project costs under control.
Avoid long delays and legal disputes.
Protect the company's reputation.
Find a workable agreement with the village and administration.

Remember: You are not required to accept every demand. But you must decide whether a shortcut today could create a larger cost tomorrow.

3. Your private information

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The preliminary land map available to your company indicates:

73 hectares are recorded as private agricultural land.
35 hectares are shown as grazing land.
12 hectares are marked as community forest.

However, the company has not independently verified the map against actual land use, customary rights or community claims.

You have also been told that the company could redesign the project to reduce its land requirement, but this would increase planning costs and may affect the project timeline.

4. Your opening statement

"We believe this project can bring investment, employment and infrastructure to Badakichab. We are here to understand the land requirements and discuss how the project can move forward. We are willing to hear concerns, but we also need a clear process and timeline."

5. Your round-by-round instructions

Round 1 — The project arrives

Your task: Introduce the project and explain why the company wants to establish it in Badakichab.

"The project could bring new employment and investment to this area. We need around 120 hectares. We want the administration to help us understand the land availability and acquisition process."

Ask: What is the fastest lawful way to establish the project?

Round 2 — Who uses this land?

Your task: Respond when the community questions the land records.

"Our preliminary map is based on available records. If there are additional users or claims, we need to identify them through a proper verification process."

Ask: Can the land survey be expanded to document actual use?

Round 3 — The common land dispute

Your task: Decide whether to redesign the project to avoid grazing land and community forest.

"Avoiding common land may increase project costs. But if the land is essential to community livelihoods, we need to understand the consequences before proceeding."

Ask: Can the project use less land or move to an alternative site?

Round 4 — Gram Sabha meeting

Your task: Participate in the village meeting. Listen to objections and respond.

"We want to understand the concerns raised here. We need clarity on which approvals and community processes apply before any further steps are taken."

Ask: What information should the company provide before the community can make an informed decision?

Round 5 — Whose rights need protection?

Your task: Respond to questions about forest rights, landless families, women and customary users.

"We do not want unresolved rights claims to become a source of conflict. We need the administration to clarify the applicable legal requirements and identify affected households."

Ask: Can the project boundary be changed to avoid affecting people with unrecorded rights?

Round 6 — Compensation and rehabilitation

Your task: Negotiate compensation and livelihood measures.

"Compensation is important, but we also need to understand the actual losses people may face. We can discuss livelihood restoration and other measures alongside the financial package."

Ask: What would make the proposed arrangement acceptable and sustainable?

Round 7 — Objections

Your task: Respond to objections and decide whether to continue, pause or revise the project.

"We need to distinguish between issues that can be resolved through additional information and issues that require a change in the project itself. We are prepared to review both."

Ask: What changes would reduce the risk of a prolonged dispute?

Round 8 — Final decision

Your task: Present your final proposal.

"We have heard the concerns raised during this process. We propose to proceed only on the basis of the applicable legal requirements and a clear understanding of the land and livelihood impacts."

Decide:** Will you proceed, redesign, pause or withdraw?

6. Your strategic choices

A — Consult and redesign
Verify land use, disclose project information, consider alternatives and address applicable legal requirements. This may take longer but can reduce future conflict.
B — Move quickly
Rely mainly on existing records and negotiate with affected landowners. This may save time initially but could leave community claims unresolved.
C — Take shortcuts
Push for rapid possession and treat objections as delays. This may appear efficient but can create serious legal, livelihood and reputational risks.

7. What does success mean?

Success is not simply acquiring 120 hectares. A project that faces litigation, community opposition or unresolved rights claims may become commercially unviable. Your challenge is to balance cost, time, legal compliance, livelihoods and trust.