What Moves People in Mountains: Migration and Sustainable Mountain Development in the Himalaya

The mainstream migration and development literature shows that migration is a winwin situation. This dominant discourse perceives the relationship between migration and development as linear, with source regions, destination regions, and migrants themselves all benefiting from the process of migration. With this given background, our study differs this viewpoint, showing that large-scale out-migration has created various socio-economic problems rather than fostering development in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). The paper aims to comprehend the migration-development nexus in the context of IHR by drawing upon existing literature, data, and fieldworks. To achieve this objective, 10 villages were selected from different altitudinal and geographical regions of 10 mountainous districts of the Uttarakhand Himalaya, and a total of 605 households were surveyed, covering 100 percent samples from each village. The survey considered several migration-related questions from both origin and destination perspectives. The study examines various push and pull factors affecting migration decisions and seeks to uncover the processes, patterns, and consequences of migration on both sending and receiving communities. The study reveals that largescale permanent out-migration has emerged as a significant challenge, impacting the realization of sustainable mountain development. Urgent action is required to address these problems to prevent severe repercussions for the entire IHR region in the future. In terms of policy and governance, this research provides valuable insights into designing and implementing strategies that promote sustainable mountain development while addressing the complex dynamics of migration. By focusing on the case of the Uttarakhand Himalaya, this study contributes to a broader understanding of "What Moves People in Mountains?" and analyzes the complex interplay between migration and development, offering valuable lessons and recommendations for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking to address the challenges and leverage the opportunities offered by migration in the mountain region.