Introduction
Migration is a major demographic phenomenon in India and significantly shapes the socio-economic landscape of various regions. In Uttar Pradesh, the regions of Purvanchal (Eastern UP) and Bundelkhand have historically witnessed high rates of out-migration, mainly due to chronic underdevelopment, agrarian distress, lack of industrial growth, and unemployment. While migration often brings economic relief in the form of remittances, it also leads to complex socio-economic consequences for both the source and destination areas.
This article explores the causes, patterns, and impacts of migration from Purvanchal and Bundelkhand, analyzing both the positive and negative socio-economic implications. The focus is to understand how migration reshapes family structures, local economies, gender roles, and regional development.
Understanding the Regions: Purvanchal and Bundelkhand
Purvanchal (Eastern Uttar Pradesh)
- Comprises districts like Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Azamgarh, Ballia, Mau, and Deoria.
- Characterized by high population density, fragmented landholdings, and low industrialization.
- The region has traditionally been an out-migration zone, particularly to Mumbai, Delhi, Punjab, and Gujarat.
Bundelkhand (Southern UP)
- Includes districts such as Jhansi, Banda, Chitrakoot, Mahoba, and Hamirpur.
- Known for semi-arid climate, frequent droughts, agrarian crisis, and limited economic diversification.
- Migration is predominantly seasonal or distress-driven, with workers moving to Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and NCR.
Causes of Migration in the Regions
1. Economic Distress
- Lack of employment opportunities, particularly in the non-agricultural sector, is a primary driver.
- Poor agricultural productivity due to land fragmentation (Purvanchal) and climatic stress (Bundelkhand) forces people to migrate in search of work.
2. Poverty and Livelihood Insecurity
- According to NITI Aayog’s multidimensional poverty index, both regions show high poverty ratios, prompting migration as a survival strategy.
- In Bundelkhand, recurring droughts and crop failures push marginal farmers and landless laborers toward migration.
3. Lack of Industrialization and Infrastructure
- Both regions suffer from a lack of investment in industries, skill development, and basic infrastructure.
- Absence of local job-generating units compels youth to seek work in metro cities or industrial hubs.
4. Educational and Health Aspirations
- Families migrate temporarily or permanently to cities with better schools and hospitals, leading to aspirational migration.
Patterns of Migration
- Seasonal Migration: Common in Bundelkhand, especially among construction laborers, brick kiln workers, and agricultural laborers.
- Long-Term or Permanent Migration: Prominent in Purvanchal, with many youth settling in urban centers after securing jobs.
- Male-Dominated Migration: Most migrants are young males; however, female migration is increasing, especially for domestic work.
- Remittance Economy: Both regions receive significant remittances from migrants, which play a critical role in sustaining households.
Socio-Economic Impacts of Migration
1. Economic Impact on Households
Positive Effects:
- Remittances improve household income, enabling better access to food, healthcare, and education.
- Families can invest in housing, purchase land, and sometimes start small businesses.
- Migration acts as a safety net during agrarian distress or natural calamities.
Negative Effects:
- Heavy dependence on remittances makes families vulnerable to job loss at the destination.
- Local economy suffers due to labor shortages, particularly during sowing and harvesting seasons.
- Lack of remittance channels in remote villages often leads to high transaction costs and exploitation by informal agents.
2. Impact on Women and Gender Roles
- In the absence of men, women take on greater responsibilities, including managing farms, households, and finances.
- This leads to empowerment, but also increases the workload and psychological stress.
- Incidences of neglected elderly and children rise due to the absence of adult male members.
- In some cases, women become vulnerable to domestic violence, social isolation, or exploitation.
3. Demographic and Social Changes
- Migration leads to a skewed gender ratio and an aging rural population.
- Many villages in Bundelkhand report being populated mostly by women, children, and elderly, leading to a loss of social vibrancy.
- Breakdown of joint family structures and weakening of traditional support systems are visible in both regions.
4. Education and Skill Development
- Remittances help families afford private schooling for children.
- However, frequent movement leads to disrupted schooling, especially for children of seasonal migrants.
- Migrant youth often lack formal vocational training, working in informal and hazardous sectors with low wages.
5. Health and Social Security
- Migrants face poor living conditions at destination sites—slums, inadequate sanitation, and lack of healthcare.
- The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the precarious lives of migrants, especially those from UP, who had to return on foot due to sudden lockdowns.
- Many lack access to social protection schemes, healthcare benefits, or insurance due to lack of portability of government services.
6. Agricultural Impact
- Migration leads to labor shortages in rural farming communities.
- Fields are often left uncultivated, or depend on sharecroppers or elderly family members.
- Over time, this can lead to de-agrarianization and decline in rural productivity.
Government Interventions and Policy Measures
1. MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act)
- Offers 100 days of guaranteed wage employment, reducing short-term migration.
- However, irregular payments and poor implementation in some areas dilute its impact.
2. One District One Product (ODOP)
- Aims to promote local crafts, agro-products, and micro-enterprises to generate jobs in home districts.
- Purvanchal’s silk, carpets, and handicrafts are being revived under this scheme.
3. Skill Development Programs
- Initiatives like PMKVY (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana) and State Skill Development Missions aim to upskill rural youth.
- However, there is a mismatch between skills provided and actual job demand.
4. Uttar Pradesh Migration Commission (2020)
- Formed in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis to map and support returnee migrants.
- Aims to integrate migrants into the local economy through job matching, skill training, and entrepreneurship support.
Case Studies and Ground Realities
1. Chitrakoot and Banda (Bundelkhand)
- Large-scale seasonal migration for brick kilns and construction work.
- Despite MGNREGA availability, daily wages are lower than what migrants earn in cities.
- Women often manage farms and livestock, while men are away for 6–8 months a year.
2. Azamgarh and Mau (Purvanchal)
- Known for long-term out-migration to Mumbai and Gulf countries.
- Migrant remittances have improved housing and education, but local economic base remains weak.
- Growing trend of reverse migration among educated youth seeking opportunities in startups and e-commerce, especially post-COVID.
Recommendations for Sustainable Solutions
1. Strengthen Rural Employment and Industry
- Promote agro-based industries, food processing, and handicrafts to absorb rural labor.
- Provide tax incentives and subsidies for industries to set up units in backward districts.
2. Improve Public Services
- Invest in health, education, and transport to reduce distress migration.
- Ensure portability of ration cards, health cards, and social security for migrants.
3. Promote Entrepreneurship
- Provide microfinance and skill training to help returnee migrants start businesses.
- Establish rural incubation centers in colleges and universities.
4. Data and Migration Mapping
- Create a migrant database for targeted welfare programs.
- Encourage inter-state coordination for safe migration and job matching platforms.
Conclusion
Migration from Purvanchal and Bundelkhand is both a symptom of underdevelopment and a source of hope for many families. While it brings economic benefits through remittances and skill exposure, it also leads to social disruption, agricultural decline, and emotional costs.
A balanced approach, involving local job creation, rural development, and migrant welfare policies, is essential to convert migration from a distress-driven choice to an empowered decision. Only then can Uttar Pradesh transform its most vulnerable regions into engines of inclusive and sustainable development.
Summary Points:
Long-term solutions lie in economic decentralization, rural industrialization, and migrant welfare reforms.
Purvanchal and Bundelkhand are major out-migration zones in Uttar Pradesh due to poverty and unemployment.
Migration has improved household incomes and education, but caused family disruption and labor shortages.
Women face increased responsibilities, both positively (empowerment) and negatively (stress and vulnerability).
Government schemes like ODOP, MGNREGA, and skill missions can reduce distress migration.
