Beyond Borders of Poverty: Seasonal Migration and Livelihood Sustainability in Eastern India, Kalahandi.
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Abstract
Seasonal migration has long been a survival strategy for marginalized rural communities in India, particularly in regions marked by chronic poverty and agrarian distress, such as Kalahandi. This study critically interrogates migration not merely as a response to scarcity but as a complex livelihood strategy that reshapes social, economic, and cultural landscapes. Drawing on narratives from migrant households, the paper situates migration within broader debates on sustainable rural livelihoods, vulnerability, and resilience.
By weaving together intersectional perspectives on gender, caste, and Indigenous heritage, the paper challenges linear development discourses that frame migration solely as either failure or opportunity. Instead, it argues for a nuanced understanding of migration as both a coping mechanism and a contested pathway toward sustainability. The findings highlight the urgent need for policy frameworks that integrate mobility into rural development planning, while safeguarding cultural continuity and social justice. Ultimately, the study positions Kalahandi’s migration narratives as representative of broader rural transformations in Eastern India, offering critical insights into how communities navigate the precarious balance between survival and sustainability amid structural poverty...
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