Push and Pull Factors of Environment-Related Migration in Jharkhand, India: An Exploratory Review
Abstract: Jharkhand is a primary hub for seasonal and circular labour migration with over 45 million people migrating for livelihoods. Here, livelihood depends on rainfed farming and forests produce. This review asks how environmental change influences migration from the state, with special reference to Ranchi district. Peer-reviewed studies and official data were analysed using Lee?s classic theory of migration, which groups factors into those at the origin, those at the destination, intervening obstacles and personal factors. Three environmental push factors were found at the origin: eractic monsoon rainfall and drought, degradation of forests and falling income from forest products, and displacement by mining and mine fires. Land ties, forest produce and public employment act as hold factors. Labour demand in brick kilns, construction, irrigated farms and urban homes pulls migrants outward, while debt, recruiters and kin networks shape who moves. Gender, tribe, caste and poverty decide whether a household migrates, stays or is trapped. Environmental change rarely acts alone; it shifts an existing balance of push and pull. Better irrigation, secure forest rights, safe-migration support and a fair transition away from coal are recommended.
Keywords: Environmental migration; Push?pull factors; Forest livelihoods; Coal mining; Jharkhand
How to Cite?: Pipas Kumar, "Push and Pull Factors of Environment-Related Migration in Jharkhand, India: An Exploratory Review", Volume 15 Issue 6, June 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1731-1735, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26607124041, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26607124041