Migration can contribute to human development: Experts

Migration can contribute to human development and prosperity if an enabling atmosphere is created for the migrant workers and alternative livelihood solutions and policy interventions are put in place to ensure better living conditions for them.

This was put forth by experts here at the launch of the Human Development Report-2009 of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Jagadananda, the state information commissioner said, “Migration of human population articulates the prevailing trends and also provides guidelines to the policy makers. We need to work at both the ends- the source at which migration happens and the destination of the migrant workers to ensure that migration brings the desired benefits.”

 

He pointed out that in Orissa, a bulk of the migrant population belonged to SC, ST and other backward castes and efforts are needed to develop alternative livelihoods for them.

“Migration can prove to be a blessing for undeveloped economies like Orissa if we are able to satisfy some prerequisites like creating a conducive atmosphere for the skilled and unskilled migrant workers. In Orissa, most of the migration cases have been linked to natural calamities”, said Manorama Mohapatra, noted social activist and columnist.

Presenting the UNDP's Human Development Report-2009, Ambika Prasad Nanda, UNDP's state programme officer said, “Migration has the potential to enhance human development. There is scope for significant improvements in policies and institutions to boost migration.”

According to the Census 2001 figures, 11 million out of the state's population of 37 million were migrants out of which 7.9 million were intra-district migrants, 2.4 million were inter-district migrants, 0.66 million were inter-state migrants and the remaining 46,000 people being international migrants.