Migration Issues (Rapid Migration from Uttarakhand)

At BADRI Foundation, we opted for Uttrakhand to achieve our primary objective (rapid migration in rural areas) although this is a typical story of every rural part of India, here in Uttrakhand this problem has taken a more formidable form, due to the lack of healthcare and education facilities, and fewer employment opportunities the life of ordinary people has become inaccessible like a mountain. There is a saying in the mountain that "the water and youth of the mountain are not useful for the mountain" This proverb proves to be completely true here because migration has become such a serious problem here, which is becoming difficult to control day by day.

A study reveals that in three districts – Pauri, Tehri, and Almora, more than 10% of the population has migrated to other places after 2011. Similarly, more than 10% of villages of the same districts have seen an exodus. This study further shows that migration is mainly internal – from the mountainous districts to urban centers, within the districts, or within the state. About 734 villages are depopulated, and in 367 villages, the population has decreased by more than 50%. Unemployment is the major problem in rural areas as more than 50% of out-migration occurred for reasons of employment.

Apart from this, most of the economic opportunities are to be found concentrated in plain areas of the State, leading to huge income inequalities across the hill and plain districts of the State. Per capita income (measured in terms of per capita net District Domestic Product) in Pauri, Bageshwar, Champawat, Tehri Garhwal, and  Almora districts is almost half of that in Dehradun and Haridwar. Due to this lopsided development, the pace of out-migration from the hill districts of the state could not be slowed down after the state's formation. Historically, these districts had well-developed social indicators in comparison to many other districts of the State, but due to continuous migration, not only social indicators but even cultural and social heritage of this land called ‘ Dev Bhoomi’ is being affected adversely.

Central and state governments are continuously working in this area to change the scenario but in spite of several efforts made by the governments these areas have not seen very significant development, and the disparities are increasing day by day. We don't intend to imply that governments are doing nothing to eradicate the problems but believe that due to demographic challenges of hilly regions it becomes difficult to even for the government to deal with regional problems efficiently.

Unemployment, education, and healthcare are the main issues due to which villagers continue to migrate. Migrating people know that there is observable better access to employment, health, and education in non-hilly regions.

To protect the rich social and cultural heritage of the state it is important to encourage people to reverse migration. At ‘BADRI Foundation’ it is our aim to support and facilitate better healthcare and educational facilities as well as to generate employment opportunities and develop a spirit of entrepreneurship in ‘Pahadi’ people with the help of our various awareness, training, and welfare programs.