Circular Migration

A Reflection from KBK districts in Odisha

Abstract

Circular migration is much of it seasonal character has become a crucial part of livelihood strategies adopted by a large number of people originating from economically downtrodden and agriculturally marginalised sections of rural community in Odisha in general and KBK districts in particular. It has become a permanent phenomenon of large scale out-migration at least over the last three to four decades. Among them lack of employment opportunity comes first and economic push factor stimulating to adopt migration as the last resort for their livelihood. This circular/seasonal migration entails number of problems which often become the source of economic-political issues in the areas of origin and destination as well. The present paper tries to present modestly the issues relating seasonal migration which perpetuates in the KBK districts of Odisha and tries to find out means to overcome the situation. It covers a brief review of literature pertaining to the issue of circular migration and profile of the study area.