Migration, Development and Social Change in the Himalayas: An Ethnographic Village Study

This book explores the reasons and socio-economic impacts of different types of migration on contemporary rural households and individuals in the North Indian Kumaun Himalayas,near the border with Chinese Tibet. It demonstrates how migration patterns overlap,constituting village life socially and economically,and how the village microcosm is linked to other villages across a spatial hierarchy. The study has theoretical implications for understanding rural-urban migration trends and impacts more broadly.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 244 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the intricate reasons behind and the far-reaching socio-economic consequences of diverse forms of migration on contemporary rural households and individuals. The author skillfully portrays the vibrant microcosm of a village nestled in the North Indian Kumaun Himalayas, near the border with Chinese Tibet, offering a voice to the diverse life stories of the migrants who call it home. Through this ethnographic lens, migration emerges as a fundamental facet of the multifaceted transformations sweeping through the village in the 21st century.

The book showcases the diverse range of migrants who shape the social and economic fabric of the village, from elderly women to unemployed men, young farm women, and local children. It vividly illustrates how migration patterns, including outmigration, return migration, in-migration, and even non-migration, continuously intertwine to shape the very essence of village life. By expanding on this argument, the author demonstrates how the village microcosm is interconnected with numerous other villages, each functioning as its own unique microcosm and also forming part of a larger spatial hierarchy.

The theoretical implications of this study are carefully teased out to enhance our understanding of rural-urban migration trends and their impacts on a broader scale. This book holds immense interest for researchers specializing in the South Asian region, as well as those exploring internal migration within the global context. It sheds light on the complex dynamics and challenges faced by rural communities as they navigate the tides of migration, offering valuable insights into the intricate tapestry of human mobility and its profound effects on society.

Weight: 494g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367785130