Significance of family migration from hills to Terai: a case study in eastern Nepal

Ranjita Nepal, University of Kassel
Beatrice Knerr, University of Kassel

Rural-urban migration is a key factor for increasing urbanization in Nepal. It is a response to diverse economic opportunities. This paper investigates the determinants of family migration in a small urban center of Jhapa district, Nepal. Information needed for the study was collected through the questionnaire survey, covering 40 migrant households and key informants interview. Migration from hills to Terai, the plain land of the country, is historical. Migrants from hills were drawn to some areas of Terai by the government resettlement policies as well. There exists wide gap in social amenities between urban and rural areas of Nepal. Most of the researchers argue that people migrate from poorer region to resource rich region. Migration from hills and rural areas of Nepal are exemplary of such cases where people aspire for better livelihood. The study findings reveal the family migration, which entails formation of an independent urban household, is more likely among older people or with the members having international migrants. Study shows that, education, business opportunities and better urban services are the prime reasons for permanent migration from hills and rural areas. The policy implication of increasing internal migration is outlined below. Key words: Rural-urban, Urbanization, Terai and Family migration.