Migration landscape of the Bundelkhand region of India: drivers, destinations and developmental policies

The Bundelkhand region is well-known for its caste and class disparities, drought, poverty, farmer suicides due to crop failure, and depopulation brought on by a lack of possibilities for sustainable livelihood. This study examined the causes of migration, the distances migrants cover, their destination, and the effects of migration. We employed a mixed-methods approach that included narrative accounts, exploratory analysis, household survey, and statistical analysis. The result shows that over 85% of migration is interstate, and over 60% of migrants are young men from marginal, small-scale farming and landless origins. More than half of all migrants from the region go to Delhi and Punjab, which are metropolitan areas and the main destinations for migrants. This study finds the leading causes of migration, including a weak industrial foundation, a lack of employment possibilities, and agricultural failures brought on by climate change. These problems indicate that the Lifeline Migration paradigm is outdated and should be abandoned. In the Bundelkhand Region of India, there is a strong need for development-related interventions and policy changes to augment migration, livelihood, livelihood security, and human dignity for rural households.