• Karnataka is the seventh most urbanized state in India and has experienced substantial urbanization in recent decades.
• Between 2001 and 2011, Karnataka’s rural population decreased from 66% to 61%, while the urban population increased from 34% to 39%
• Urbanization, indicative of economic progress, must be weighed against its impact on rural development, a crucial consideration for overall national development
• Karnataka, like the rest of India, grapples with climate change effects, including extreme weather events leading to loss of life and critical infrastructure damage
• Many challenges have spurred a discernible migration trend from northern to southern Karnataka.

FACTORS CAUSING MIGRATION IN KARNATAKA

Age and gender factors

• Based on analysis of trends between 2011–2021
• Highest inflow of working-age population (15–64 years) – possibly owing to the diverse employment opportunities
• Also in recent years, Migration patterns in Karnataka have mainly been observed in two age groups: 1–4 years and 5–14 years, suggesting household relocations driven by the pursuit of improved healthcare and education facilities.
• Gender disaggregation of the population shows a male-dominated migration trend, reinforcing the traditional role of men as primary breadwinners who relocate to financially support their families

Geographical factors

• Distinct outflow from the agrarian districts of North Karnataka, such as Raichur and Kalaburagi, to the coastal and southern regions, such as Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Bengaluru
• North Karnataka faces climate vulnerability due to its dependence on rainfed agriculture in a dry agro-climatic zone. The region has experienced unpredictable monsoons, droughts, floods, and other climate extremes in recent years
• Migration patterns reveal an aspect of climate adaptation, where women and the elderly are less mobile in response to these climate challenges.
• The migration from north to south Karnataka is also influenced by job opportunities, as seen prominently in 2020
• The nationwide lockdown during the pandemic led to a reverse migration in many districts, with migrants returning to their hometowns. However, Dakshina Kannada witnessed a significant outflow of migrants during this period.

Climate and urbanization interplay

• The interplay between climate and urbanization in Karnataka is quite evident
• Extreme climate events over the past decade have disrupted normal temperature and rainfall patterns, impacting agricultural production
• In 2023, the state witnessed a monsoon deficiency of 34%, increasing the risk of extreme drought conditions
• Rural communities, being more vulnerable to such climate risks, often seek refuge in urban areas.

ANALYSIS IS

• The regional variation in urbanization in Karnataka underscores the developmental disparities between the agrarian north, facing livelihood challenges, and the prosperous south, with superior infrastructure and job prospects, notably in construction. This contrast plays a significant role in driving migration from north to south Karnataka.
• The combination of climate-induced pressures pushing rural dwellers to seek refuge in urban centers and the urban-rural development gap exacerbating migration trends highlights the complex interplay between climate events, development discrepancies, and migration dynamics in the state.

WAY FORWARD

• Balanced Rural-Urban Interdependencies
  • India has a large population share but a relatively smaller urban share globally.
  • Urbanization-driven migration strains urban infrastructure and resources, increasing urban poverty risk.
• Prioritizing Self-Reliance and Sustainability
  • Emphasize self-reliance and sustainability in rural areas for food security and basic facilities aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Focus on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to transform rural areas into entrepreneurial hubs for local production and employment.
• Decentralized Approach to Climate Action
  • Adopt a decentralized approach considering intra-regional differences in Karnataka.
  • Give districts autonomy to collaborate for holistic solutions to coerced rural migration, addressing governance and infrastructural development needs.
  • Research and development efforts required for understanding spatial inequality and migration impacts, needing updated state-level census data.
• Regenerating Rural Economy
  • Paramount to regenerate rural economy amidst climate-induced and urbanization-driven migration.
  • Promote balanced rural-urban interdependencies for sustainable development.
  • Invest in natural resource conservation and rural infrastructure for equitable growth and maintaining migration balance.