Population, Development and The Environment: The Dynamic Interface

Migration of people to resource rich areas in search of livelihood is as old as human history. This has acted as a powerful engine for the growth of world output in the post industrialization era. The movements now cut even the geographical boundaries of nations. India witnessed several migration currents over the centuries. Within India Kerala is the most migratory state. The state witnessed different patterns of migration and the one which sustained for decades and stood different from other migration currents was the migration of Travancore peasants to the Malabar region. Predominantly the migrants belonged to the poor strata of the Christian community. They were in search of their livelihood out of own farming. In the beginning thus there was only limited agenda in their mind. Fertile land was available in cheap then in Malabar. So they came to settle down permanently. Malabar was then underdeveloped and life especially in the highland regions where they settled was challenging and hazardous. With determination they withstood all the adversities. The migration in turn has brought about profound developmental impact on the economy of the region. In the process no doubt the migrants were able to improve their lot. This aroused in them more expectations and a bigger agenda developed in their mind and that was cultivation beyond subsistence level. Many were able to accomplish this. At the same time several side effects cropped up.