Migration, assets, and forest degradation in a tropical deciduous forest of South Asia

Baqui´e, Sandra and Urpelainen, Johannes and Khanwilkar, Sarika and Galletti, Christopher S. and Velho, Nandini and Mondal, Pinki and Nagendra, Harini and DeFries, Ruth (2021) Migration, assets, and forest degradation in a tropical deciduous forest of South Asia. Ecological Economics, 181. ISSN 0921-8009 (In Press)

Text - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (3MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Indian internal migration is among the highest in the world, with 30% of the population migrating, often for work. Such population movement can alleviate poverty and reduce forest degradation. However, estimates of this double dividend are scarce. We estimate the potential of internal migration to alleviate poverty by exploring migrant characteristics and their investments. We then evaluate whether there are short-term benefits for Central Indian forests by assessing the relationship between migration and changes in forest use over a 5-year timespan. Finally, we study the village-level association between forest degradation and the proportion of migrating households in the village. We show that internal migration has the potential to alleviate poverty. On the other hand, migration does not reduce forest degradation in such a short term.

Item Type:	Article
Authors:	Baqui´e, Sandra and Urpelainen, Johannes and Khanwilkar, Sarika and Galletti, Christopher S. and Velho, Nandini and Mondal, Pinki and Nagendra, Harini and DeFries, Ruth
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Seasonal migration, Forest degradation, Central India
Subjects:	Natural Sciences > Life sciences; biology > Ecology
Divisions:	Azim Premji University > School of Development
Full Text Status:	Restricted
URI:	http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/2451
Publisher URL:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2020.106887

Actions (login required)

View Item