Issue of Migration in Uttarakhand :

The study team had proposed to analyse the available data in the State to identify pockets of migration in the State and the destination where a majority of individuals migrate. The team did not find detailed information with respect to migration in the State, therefore, a review of available literature was done to develop a perspective on migration in the State. NSSO Study on migration undertaken in 2007-08 shows some trends on migration across all States. The findings reveal the following:

• Migration is higher among those with higher literacy levels than those with less or no literacy.
• Men migrate largely to seek employment opportunities whereas most women migrate when they get married.
• While migrants from rural areas engage in self-employment, the urban migrants engage in salaried jobs.
• The proportion of short term migration in rural areas was more than those in urban areas. Migrants from urban areas migrate for longer duration or permanently whereas migrants from rural areas return to their native place after few years.
• Those who migrate do contribute to the State economy because it was found that the families spend more money on household expenditure, well invest more and repay their debts wherever required.

The findings pertaining to Uttarakhand provide evidence that about greater migration in the State than the national average. There is a significant migration from rural to rural areas 595 per 1,000 than rural to urban which were 144 per 1,000. The most common reason for migration is search for employment followed by movement of parent or earning family member. While there is significant out migration, there is in migration too, thus making the net migration rate as 38 per 1,000.

There are a very high proportion of males migrating in search of better employment opportunities in comparison to women. Since agriculture is the main occupation, women are left behind to take care of the fields, which indicate that the gender aspect for the primary sector must be taken into account.

A study on `Employment, migration and livelihoods in the Hill Economy of Uttaranchal’ by Rajendra P. Mamgain, Jawaharlal Nehru University, states that the percentage of migrant population is more among upper caste, lower income groups and interior areas. It is less among lower caste groups and agriculturally developed households. Individuals from lower income groups migrate who have low asset base migrate for their survival whereas those from better income households migrate for better opportunities in their career. Large percentage of migrants is employed as cooks, wash boys, waiters, peons, domestic servants, messengers, drivers and helpers.

Most migrants from Uttarakhand are better educated, have salaried jobs unlike out migrants from some other States like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Largely migration in Uttarakhand is not `distress induced’. About three fourth people migrate to regions outside mountainous regions of the State. Those migrating to other State migrate to Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Ambala. Despite efforts being undertaken by the Government of Uttarakhand to facilitate the development of hilly Districts, the migration rate has increased. As per 2011 population Census the problem of migration has remained unchanged. There are 17,741 uninhabited villages in the State which are either deserted or are on the verge of being abandoned completely by the inhabitants. Although the Government has managed to attract some industries in Terai region i.e. Dehradun, Haridwar, and Udham Singh Nagar, the hill Districts i.e. Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri, Almora, and Bageshwar remain far away from industrial development. The migration rate of male and female population from the rural as well as urban areas is constantly rising. As per data available on ‘Visthapit Janasankhya Sarvekshan’ for 2011-12 with Directorate of Economic and Census, Uttarakhand, the hilly Districts of Pouri Garhwal, Bageshwar, Chamoli, and Tehri Garhwal have the highest migration rate from rural and urban areas. Due to limited opportunities for employment coupled with geographical and climatic hardship, skill based training seems to be a viable option to generate employment and develop the local economy.

From the skill perspective there could be two strategies to deal with the issue of migration, which is a matter of concern for the State. First, to give them skills that helps to boost the local rural economy. At present it is highly dependent on the plains and other States for its day to day requirements such as bakery, packaging material, toiletries. If there are any adverse climatic conditions or disruptions in road transportation, their daily supplies get affected. Production of these items locally will not only provide opportunities for self-employment, but propel the local economy towards greater self-reliance.

 The other strategy could be to provide them skills which will provide them better job opportunities in the destination of migration. However, through informal interactions, it was shared that some of the favorite destinations for the migrant youth are Gurgaon and Allahabad. For instance if there is significant migration taking place to Gurgaon, then it will be helpful for the youth to learning skills in the construction and IT sectors so that their prospects of getting better paid jobs are enhanced. The State needs to maintain a database of information to provide a profile of migrants, pockets from where they migrate, their education and skill levels and places where they migrate. This will help in more effective planning to ensure that whatever migration takes place it is to seek better livelihood and employment opportunities and not out of distress.

Conclusion  :

In conclusion one may say that Uttarakhand has the advantage of high education levels, rich natural resources embedded in the forest cover which forms about 62 percent 31 of the total area. While the State has a high growth rate of 8.8 percent , the advantages of economic growth is not evenly distributed. There is a vast difference between the hilly Districts and those in the plains. There are constraints of access due to poor road connectivity and electricity shortage despite the fact that hydroelectricity is found in abundance in the State. The electricity generated is not sufficient to meet the increasing demand and also affects setting up of small and medium industries in the hilly Districts. The distance between the resources and market has not been bridged to the extent that economic growth is more evenly distributed. The State has given several incentives to the industrial sector by giving tax exemption for 10 years. This has resulted in several industries coming up.

 However, it remains to be seen whether this momentum would be retained once this period comes to an end. Besides the industrial boom it is largely restricted to 3 Districts (Dehradun, Hardwar and Udham Singh Nagar). This is resulting in significant migration among its population in other Districts where secondary sector has not shown sufficient growth. The services sector has shown maximum growth and is likely to grow at a higher level than the other two sectors. Upcoming service sectors are – Construction, Retail and Transportation and Warehousing and Education for which the State needs to prepare itself.