Climate Change and Migration: A Case Study of the Sundarbans, India

This research focuses on climate change and migration in the Sundarbans area. The main objective is to examine how environmental change affects people's decisions to migrate. The study investigates the connection between climate-related aspects and existing push factors that compel individuals to migrate. The research investigates several sub-questions and offers insights into the vulnerabilities exacerbated by the changing climatic conditions, the adaptive capacities and resilience mechanisms of the local population, and their coping strategies to fend off climate-related challenges. It offers insight into the community's experiences, identifies gaps, examines existing policies and practices for migrants affected by extreme weather events and provides best practices. It outlines the roles of various stakeholders and reiterates the need for disaster management, adaptation, and resilience initiatives on the ground. The findings indicate that environmental changes and extreme weather events act as threat multipliers that intensify vulnerabilities and drive migration. The study advocates for a rights-based, climate-sensitive approach, emphasising the importance of community perspectives in shaping future policies. It offers a roadmap for the well-being and upliftment of climate-sensitive zones like the Sundarbans.