MIGRATION AND LIVELIHOOD IN THE RURAL COMMUNITIES: A CASE OF MID-WESTERN TARAI REGION, NEPAL

Author Name: 1Kanhaiya Sapkota, 2Narayan Prasad Paudyal

Volume: 01 &  Issue:

Country: Nepal

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: http://www.doi-ds.org/doilink/11.2020-88312833/

Affiliation:

1. Central Department of Geography, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu.
2. Department of Geography Education, Faculty of Education, Tribhuvan University, Nepal

ABSTRACT

The export of labor has become a lucrative industry in Nepal. The research methodology involves both qualitative and quantitative frameworks that have been used in ethnographic field research techniques. In the study area (Titiheriya, Samserganja and Rajhena of Banke District, Province No. 5) – A total 972 young adults left “home” to work as migrant workers in the Gulf, Malaysia, India and Middle Eastern countries in 2017/18. Among the households fitting this criterion, 180 migrant households have been selected for the detailed study. This study explores the impacts of migration on the livelihoods of households in Banke District, mid-western Nepal. Household surveys and focus group discussions were used to explore the different dimensions of migration and livelihood issues, such as preference of work by the migrants, household units of the migrants, socio-economic mobility, remittance investment pattern, impacts on living standard, vulnerability in households as, and investments for migration issues. In terms of securing livelihoods, people value land as a major asset – higher quality jobs with handsome earnings motivate them to migrate to major cities so as to secure a high standard of livelihood. The findings of this study have shown a largely positive outlook of migration in terms of livelihood security. This paper reflects the wider themes with respect to socio-economic determinants of access and opportunity. Regardless of whether migration is an accumulative process or a coping strategy, most migrants receive little support and live in very difficult conditions at their destinations. Besides, the people who have travelled for foreign employment, five of them returned home in coffins, making the lucrative labour migration one of the deadliest and costliest affairs for the community. Would it be better to bring methods here? Thus, a rights-based approach to guarantee the overall security of migrants is needed.

Key words: Migration, livelihoods, rural communities, Banke District, sustainable livelihood, population mobility, living standard