Navigating Climate Change-Migration Nexus in India: Trends, Drivers and Implications

The main purpose of this chapter is dual fold: first, to offer an exhaustive examination of migration trends and factors influencing migrants' decisions to relocate. Second, to propose actionable suggestions aimed at minimising the harmful impacts of climate-induced migration originating from the Indian subcontinent.

This chapter adopts an intensive literature review and integrated approach emphasising safety and partaking rights to examine climate prejudices across various dimensions including age, vulnerability, background, gender, geographical location, pay levels, migrant/refugee/internally displaced status and their connections.

An in-depth assessment of evidence surfaced on environmental migrants reveal a complex interplay of social, environmental and personal dynamics collectively shaping migration patterns beyond purely economic considerations. Natural disasters and associated mental shocks, social tensions and safety concerns, livelihood diversification, educational and development opportunities in host region, family pressures, extent of possession of assets and potential health and well-being all pose as vital drivers in environmental migration.

A novel attempt is made to address the interconnected nature of climate change with other crises, exacerbating existing inequalities whilst emphasising the importance of incorporating diverse interdisciplinary and international perspectives, prioritising the voices of the victimised to effectively address the climate emergency.

Policy recommendations encompass enhancing central and local government support by establishing migrant supportive legal frameworks, expanding livelihood diversification programs and factoring in migrant returnee programmes.