Indian Journal of Spatial Science

Manoj Debnath 1 Sheuli Ray 2 PhD Research Scholar, Department of Geography, NEHU, Shillong PhD Research Scholar, Department of Geography, NEHU, Shillong 1 2 Indian Journal of Spatial Science EISSN: 2249-4316 homepage: www.indiansss.org ISSN: 2249-3921 Inter-Regional Pattern of Scheduled Caste Male Out-Migration in West : A Geographical Analysis Article Info Article History Received on: 10 October 2016 Accepted in Revised Form on: 20 January 2017 Available Online on and from: 23 March 2017 Key Words SC Out-Migration, Migration Concentrated Regions Inter-District Out-migration Inter-Regional Out-Migration Physiographic Region Abstract West has the second largest concentration of scheduled caste population in India. The state also has a long history of scheduled caste out-migration. Due to scanty data it is not easy to get a precise estimate of scheduled caste out-migration in the state. Fortunately census of India provides scheduled caste out-migration data available at district level since the year 2001. This has made it possible to analyse the pattern of out-migration of scheduled castes at lower aggregate level permitting generalisations regarding inter-district or intra-district pattern in scheduled caste outmigration. Compared to other caste groups, scheduled castes experience a much higher rate of seasonal and temporary migration. The pattern of their out-migration however is not spatially uniform. The south plain experiences the highest propensity of scheduled caste outmigration. Nadia, Murshidabad and North 24 Parganas districts in south plain have a high rate of migration. Koch Bihar and Jalpaiguri districts in the Hills and Terai Region too display a similar tendency. The study reveals that the central and western part of West is more prone to inter-district or inter regional out-migration by the scheduled castes. 2017 ISSS. All Rights Reserved Introduction West has the second largest concentration of scheduled caste population in India. The state also has a long history of scheduled caste out-migration. Sidhu et al. (1997) argued that majority of the migrants labourers belongs to lower castes. The proportion of migration is higher among the scheduled tribes and scheduled caste population than other caste groups in rural areas in India (Keshri and Bhagat 2010).Remote areas in India as well as in West have the lowest proportion of marginal work opportunity which creates higher underemployment and it influences out-migration from rural areas (Datta, 2004). A large proportion of rural people of West migrate from backward areas for their sustenance (Rogaly et al. 2001, Rogaly and Rafique, 2003). Sengupta and Ghosal (2011) argued that the main cause of rural out-migration in West is due to low agricultural wage rate. Rogaly (1998) argued that seasonal migration in West is a consequence of seasonal shortage of workers in a peak farming time. Sidhu and Rangi, (1998) argued that those persons who migrate are mainly from lower caste groups. They also argued that about 87% of the total agricultural labours are migrants who belonged to lower social class. Majority of agricultural labours in Punjab mainly belong to the backward castes (Manik, 1998). Objectives Following objectives have been undertaken for the present study: 1. To identify inter-regional patterns in scheduled caste male out-migration in West 2. To analyse regional variation of Scheduled Caste out-migration in different physiographic regions. Study Area West is taken as the study area for the purpose www.h-net.org/...id=201577 34 Advanced Science Index...ID=1260

of the present research. In physiographic point of view the state is divided into three broad regions i.e. northern Hills and Terai, Rarh and the Gangetic pain. Rarh region is divided into East Rarh and West Rarh region (Sarkar, 2004). Similarly Gangetic plain is divided into North and South plain. The inter-regional pattern of Scheduled Caste Male out-migration has been analysed on the basis of this physiographic region. Database and Methodology The Analysis of inter-regional patterns of Scheduled Caste Male out-migration in West is based on secondary data. Secondary data has been collected from different sources like census of India, Migration Table (D series, 2001) etc. For the analysis of patterns of Scheduled Caste Male out-migration in west choropleth Method is used by GIS background. The estimate of Scheduled Caste out-migration rate has been calculated as follows: i. ii. Percentage of Scheduled Caste out-migration to total Scheduled Caste Population Percentage of Scheduled Caste Male out- Migration to total Scheduled Caste Male Population. Migration rates can be calculated for out-migration, inmigration and net migration, as well as specific subgroups of population (Clark, 1986), as follows Out Migration Rate, OMR= (O/P).K In Migration Rate, IMR = (I/P).K Net Migration Rate, NMR= { (I - O)/P}.K where, I = No. of In-migrants, O = No. of Out-migrants and P = Total Population, and K = 100 or 1000 (a constant). Migration balance is to be understood by the sum of the differences between inter-districts emigration and immigration (Kumar and Sharma, 1980). The balance of migration is calculated as BM=(E/I) where, E = Emigration and I = Immigration Results and Discussion The spatial pattern of inter-regional variation of scheduled caste out-migration at the district level, is calculated by using different statistical techniques like average mean of out-migration, standard deviation and co-efficient of variation in scheduled caste total outmigration, scheduled caste male and female outmigration.the variation of degree of significance are low for both male and female scheduled caste population. The range of variation of scheduled caste total outmigration is as low as 30.45. The scheduled caste male out-migration is more significant with co-efficient of variation as high as 38.92% and scheduled caste female out-migration rate is relatively consistent in nature with co-efficient of variation as 31.43% (Table - 1). The co-efficient of variation shows that the magnitude of SC out-migration is comparatively greater than SC female out-migration. Inter-Regional Variation of ST Out-Migration Total out-migration at district level is classified into five physiographic regions. Here also analyse average rate of out-migration in particular regions. The range of outmigration has been classified by using mean and standard deviation method.the rate of total outmigration varies from one district to another district, one region to another region.the highest proportion of total scheduled caste out-migration is found in Nadia district i.e. 7.02 %. On the other hand lowest rate of scheduled caste out-migration is found in same physiographic region i.e. South 24 Parganas from South Plain region (Table 2). From this point of view it can be generalised that West has a wide range of variation in inter-regional migration pattern. Thus, it is clear that among the seventeen districts in West, around nine districts experienced very high rate of total scheduled caste out-migration. Very high rate ( > 5.57 %) of total scheduled caste out-migration is found in Nadia and Murshidabad districts from South Plain s. This region is not suitable for heavy industrial development and also these districts experienced huge illegal immigration from Bangladesh. The entire East Rarh Plain region experienced high rate (4.27-5.57%) of total scheduled caste out-migration (fig: 1). Not only East Rarh Plain region but also Bankura and Purulia from West Rarh Plateau Fringe region and Koch Behar from Hills and Terai region experienced high rate of total scheduled caste out-migration. Most of the districts that belong to high rate of total scheduled caste out-migration are not suitable for agricultural and are not economically developed which basically includes Bankura, Mednipur, Birbhum, Koch Bihar districts. The entire North Plain region experienced moderate (4.27-2.96%) and Low (<2.96%) rate of total scheduled caste out-migration compared to other regions. Except East Rarh Plain region, all other regions show at least one district under the low rate of total scheduled caste out-migration. Inter-Regional Variation of ST Male Out-Migration In scheduled caste out-migration the most important thing is scheduled caste male out-migration. This is because most of the men are migrating in search of jobs but most of the women are migrating for marriage. According to Piotrowski, at el. (2013) short distance movement are likely to be marriage related while longdistance movements are probably work related.the main reason for out-migration in rural villages for men is shortage of jobs and for women is their marriage (Rele, 1969). Nadia district from South Plain region experienced highest rate (3.79%) and North Dinajpur district experienced lowest rate (1.06 per cent) of scheduled caste male out-migration in West. Nadia and Murshidabad from South Plain and Koch Bihar and Jalpaiguri districts from Hills and Terai regions experienced very high rate (Above 2.82%) of scheduled caste male out-migration in West. www.h-net.org/...id=201577 35 Advanced Science Index...ID=1260

Koch Bihar, Nadia and Murshidabad are covered by alluvial plain but not suitable for industry and different secondary activities. On the other hand most parts of the Darjeeling district are covered with high elevated hills which are not suitable for agriculture or industry. High rate (2.03-2.82%) of scheduled caste male out-migration is found Bankura and Purulia from West Rarh Plateau Fringe region and North 24 Parganas from South Plain region (Table: 3). Purulia and Bankura districts are the most backward districts in West in terms of physical, climatological, agricultural and economic features. Eight districts among the seventeen districts in West experienced moderate rate of scheduled caste male out-migration. Entire East Rarh Plain region is marked by moderate rate (1.14-2.03%) of scheduled caste male out-migration. Here the most important thing is that, in terms of total scheduled caste out-migration this region shows high rate (fig: 1) of out-migration but in case scheduled caste male out-migration the rate was moderate (fig: 2). So this region is dominated by high rate of scheduled caste female out-migration. Maldah and South Dinajpur from North Plain region; Jalpaiguri from Hills and Terai region and South 24 Parganas from South Plain region also experienced moderate rate of scheduled caste male out-migration. Every district from West has experienced more or less male out-migration. Only two districts in West experienced low rate of scheduled caste male out-migration.mednipur from West Rarh Plateau Fringe region and Uttar Dinajpur from North Plain region experienced low rate (Below 1.14%) of scheduled caste male out-migration. Average Scheduled Caste Out-Migration Flow Figure 3 is showing the average rate of total scheduled caste out-migration, scheduled caste male outmigration and scheduled caste female out-migration. From this flow chart it is clear that South Plain region experienced highest proportion of average (4.99%) scheduled caste total out-migration compared to East Rarh Plain region (4.93%), West Rarh Plateau Fringe region (3.92%), Hills and Terai region (3.78%) and North Plain region (3.34%). South Plain similarly experienced average highest scheduled caste male out-migration rate (2.63%) compared to other regions. Hills and Terai region highlights Second highest average rate and West Rarh Plateau Fringe region shows third highest average rate of Scheduled Caste Male out-migration. But here, the most important thing is that, Hills and Terai region show second highest average rate (fig: 3) of scheduled caste male out-migration. On the other hand East Rarh Plain region shows lowest average rate of (1.56%) scheduled caste male out-migration but this region experienced second highest average scheduled caste out-migration following the South Plain th region. West Rarh Plateau Fringe region and Hills and Terai region experienced comparatively lower scheduled caste female out-migration and higher scheduled caste male out-migration. Similarly South Plain region also experienced highest average rate (10.45%) scheduled caste female out-migration and North plain shows lowest average rate (7.03) of scheduled caste female out-migration. East Rarh Plain region shows Second highest average rate of scheduled caste female out-migration. Balance of Migration Migration balance is to be understood by the sum of the differences between inter-districts emigration and immigration (Kumar and Sharma, 1980). Migration balance could be in positive and negative. Migration balance is negative when the calculated value is below 1 (one) and Positive balance is just the opposite of the negative balance.negative balance means volume of immigrants is larger than emigration. Those districts and regions marked by negative balance at inter-district and inter-regional patterns are indicate the drawing capacity of the economic and demographic forces of the district concerned whereas positive balance indicates the draining capacity of the economic, cultural and demographic forces (Prasad et al, 1981). In case of short distance movements, females migrated more in rural areas but in medium and long distance movements more of them migrated in urban areas (Premi, 1980). Figure 4 shows district wise individual category of scheduled caste out-migration. This figure shows that scheduled caste female out-migration is more effective than scheduled caste male outmigration. Most of the districts follow same trend of outmigration.after the above analysis it is clear that scheduled caste out-migration is dominant in some particular regions. Highest proportion of scheduled caste out-migration is concentrated in particular regions. Here radar diagram is used for visual understanding of scheduled caste out-migration among the different physiographic regions. Figure 5 shows the concentration of out-migration regions. South Plain and East Rarh Plain regions are showing highest concentration of scheduled caste total out-migration and scheduled caste male and female out-migration compared to other regions. On the other hand North Plain and Hills and Terai region show low concentration of out-migration. District Level Regression Analysis Table 4 and figures 5 to 12 depict the significant relations between two variables. Different regression analysis has been done between volumes of migration, total scheduled caste out-migration rate and rate of scheduled caste male out-migration rate with different socio-economic variables. Major findings and relationship of different variable are also given as meaning of relation. www.h-net.org/...id=201577 36 Advanced Science Index...ID=1260

Conclusion Districts which are surrounded by international boundary experienced comparatively higher proportion of scheduled caste male out-migration.hills and Terai region experienced comparatively low rate of total and female out-migration but in terms of male out-migrants, this region shows second highest average position in out-migration after South Plain region.purulia and Bankura from West Rarh Plateau Fringe region also experienced higher rate of male out-migration due to lack of agricultural land, undulating plateau surface, warm and dry climate, forest covered area, less economic development etc. The balance of migration table indicates that West Rarh Plateau Fringe region is the main source region for SC male migrants and East Rarh Plain region is the main destination place for scheduled caste male migrants. References 1. Datta, P. (2004). Push-pull factors of undocumented migration from Bangladesh to West : A perception study. The Qualitative Report, 9(2), 335-358. 2. Keshri, K., &Bhagat, R. B. (2010).Temporary and seasonal migration in India. Genus, 66(3), 25-45. 3. Manik, M. S. (1998), Migrants Labour in Punjab Agriculture, The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, 41 (4), 804-805. 4. Piotrowski, M., D.Ghimire and R. Rindfuss (2013), Farming Systems and Rural Out-Migration in Nang Rong, Thailand, and Chitwan Valley, Nepal, Rural Sociology, Vol. 78, No. 1, pp. 75108. 5. Premi, M. K. (1980), Aspects of Female Migration in India, Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. 15, No. 15, pp. 714-720. 6. Rele, J. R. (1969), Trends and Significance of Internal Migration in India, The Indian Journal of Statistics, Series B, Vol. 31, No. 3/4, pp. 501-508. 7. Rogaly, B. (1998). Workers on the move: Seasonal migration and changing social relations in rural India. Gender & Development, 6(1), 21-29. 8. Rogaly, B., &Rafique, A. (2003).Struggling to save cash: seasonal migration and vulnerability in West, India. Development and Change, 34(4), 659-681. 9. Rogaly, B., Biswas, J., Coppard, D., Rafique, A., Rana, K., &Sengupta, A. (2001). Seasonal migration, social change and migrants' rights: Lessons from West. Economic and political weekly, 4547-4559. 10. Sarkar, P. R. (2004). Rárh: The Cradle of Civilization. AnandaMarga Publications. 11. Sengupta, A. and R. K. Ghosal (2011), Shortdistance rural-rural Migration of workers in West : a case study of Bardhhaman district, Journal of Economic and Social Development, Vol. VII, No. 1, pp. 75-92. 12. Sidhu, M. S. &Rangi, P. S. (1998), A study on migrant agricultural labour in Punjab. The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, 41 (4), 717-727. 13. Sidhu, M. S., Rangi, P. S., & Singh, K. (1997). A study on migrant agricultural labour in Punjab. Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.. Table 1: Out Migration Rate, SD and CV in Total Out Migration 2001 2001 Census Out-migration Categories Average OMR SD CV Total SC 4.27 1.30 30.45 SC Male 2.03 0.79 38.92 SC Female 8.83 2.78 31.43 Category Table 2: SC Out-Migrants as a Percentage to SC Population, 2001 Physiographic Regions % Range Hills and Terai North Plain South Plain East Rarh Plain West Rarh Plateau Fringe Districts No % Very High Above 5.57 0 0 2 0 0 2 11.76 High 4.27-5.57 1 0 0 4 2 7 41.18 Moderate 4.27-2.96 1 2 1 0 0 4 23.53 Low Below 2.96 1 1 1 0 1 4 23.53 Total 3 3 4 4 3 17 100 www.h-net.org/...id=201577 37 Advanced Science Index...ID=1260

Category Table 3: SC Male Out-Migration as Percentage to SC Male Population, 2001 Physiographic Regions Per cent Range Hills and North South East Rarh West Rarh Plateau Total Districts Terai Plain Plain Plain Fringe No % Very High Above 2.82 2 0 2 0 0 4 23.53 High 2.03-2.82 0 0 1 0 2 3 17.65 Moderate 2.03-1.24 1 2 1 4 0 8 47.06 Low Below 1.24 0 1 0 0 1 2 11.76 Total 3 3 4 4 3 17 100 Table 4: Region and District wise Balance of Male Migration in West, 2001 Regions Districts Balance # Balance # Hills and Terai Darjeeling -0.41 +1.22 Jalpaiguri -0.34 Koch Bihar +2.92 North Plain U. Dinajpur -0.52-0.92 D. Dinajpur +1.17 Maldah +1.09 East Rarh Plain Murshidabad +2.27 North24Par -0.40 S. 24 P -0.86 +1.19 Nadia +1.22 South Plain Birbhum +1.37-0.77 Barddhaman -0.47 Hugli -0.35 Haora -0.88 West Rarh Plateau- Bankura +1.76 Fringe Puruliya +3.97 +2.52 Medinipur +1.83 Fig.1: The Study Area Fig.2: Inter-regional Variation in Scheduled Caste Out-Migration in West, 2001 www.h-net.org/...id=201577 38 Advanced Science Index...ID=1260

Fig. 4: Average Migration Flow in Physiographic Regions Fig.3: Inter-regional Variation in Scheduled Caste Male Out-Migration in West, 2001 Fig.5: Scheduled Caste Migration Flow in West, 2001 Fig: 6: Relation between Population Pressure and Volume of Out-Migration Fig.7: Relation between Cultivators and Rate of Out-Migration Fig.8: Relation between Area Not Available for Cultivators and Rate of Out-Migration Fig.9: Relation between Household Workers and Rate of Out-Migration www.h-net.org/...id=201577 39 Advanced Science Index...ID=1260

Fig.10:Relation between Marginal Workers and Rate of Out-Migration Fig.11: Relation between Agricultural Labours and Rate of Out-Migration Fig.12: Relation between Rice Production Area and Rate of Out-Migration Fig.13: Relation between Jute Production Area and Rate of Out-Migration Manoj Debnath Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Geography, NEHU, Shillong Email: manojgdebnath@gmail.com, manojgeomphil@gmail.com Sheuli Ray Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Geography, NEHU, Shillong Email: sheuli.geo26@gmail.com www.h-net.org/...id=201577 40 Advanced Science Index...ID=1260