Climate Change and Migration: Adapting to Crisis

Abstract

The present study is attempted to identify the determinants of migration in India. The National Sample Survey data of 64th round (July 2007-June 2008) was used and decoded to elicit household-level information. A multi-criteria approach was adapted to the analysis of the data. The study’s findings revealed that about 70% of migrated people are illiterate, while 57% of migrated people were agricultural laborers. The multi-criteria analysis results for permanent migration revealed that farmers belong to the rural area, having a land size less than two hectares, belonging to the Hindu religion, are likely to migrate permanently. Also, illiteracy, marital status, low consumption expenditure in rural areas, rainfall, and minimum temperature motivate farmer’s decision to adopt migration as an ultimate coping strategy against climate change. As far as grass-root policy interventions are concern, it is suggested that in rural areas, where unemployment has the main driver for migration, a proactive social protection programme, i.e., MGNREGA can be part of a proactive approach to managing climate-induced migration. Climate change as a cause of migration is uncertain and contextual. This necessitates the inclusivity of local populations in decision-making wherein their perceptions and responses are democratically represented and not merely channeled into participatory processes.