CLIMATE INDUCED MIGRATION IN PAKISTAN: GLOBAL DISCOURSE, LOCAL REALITIES AND GOVERNANCE 2021
Table 1: Stakeholders’ perceptions of climate induced migration
4.1 Stakeholder Perceptions of Climate induced Migration The table below consolidates the results and analysis of the primary data obtained during this study. Initially, none of the respondents expressed any knowledge about the concept of climate
CLIMATE INDUCED MIGRATION IN PAKISTAN: GLOBAL DISCOURSE, LOCAL REALITIES AND GOVERNANCE 2021
induced migration, although all of them were in agreement that environmental disturbances were some of the biggest factors that negatively affected human mobility and migration.
STAKEHOLDERS’ PERCEPTIONS
KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA
SINDH
BALOCHISTAN
STAKEHOLDERS
40 respondents from Government, NGOs and Semi-Government departments.
53 respondents from Government, NGOs and Semi-Government departments.
7 Respondents from Government and Semi-Government departments.
UNDERSTANDING OF MIGRATION
Migration is a common practice by communities and is generally associated with economic reasons and to escape disasters like flooding.
Migration is a common practice in coastal communities who relocate for economic opportunities and to escape disasters like flooding and sea intrusion.
Migration is a common practice. Communities have always migrated for economic opportunities and to escape disasters like floods and droughts.
PUSH FACTORS IDENTIFIED
Flash floods, GLOFs, droughts, famines, water scarcity, deforestation, storms and conflicts.
Sea erosion, sea intrusion, extreme weather events, poverty, loss of livelihoods and deteriorating infrastructure.
Droughts, extreme weather events, flooding, water scarcity, political tensions, economic loss and opportunities.
PULL FACTORS IDENTIFIED
Economic opportunities (new and alternative sources of income), education and health facilities.
Education opportunities, health facilities, electricity and better livelihood options.
Economic opportunities, health and education facilities.
MOVEMENT PATTERN
Rural to urban.
Coastal/rural towards mega cities.
Rural to urban.
MIGRATING COMMUNITIES
Farmers, nomads, communities living along rivers and drought affected regions.
Fisher folk, farmers, nomads and communities living along the coast.
Farmers, nomads communities living along sea and drought affected regions.
UNDERSTANDING OF CIM
None
None
None
UNDERSTANDING OF ENVIRONMENTAL DISRUPTIONS
Yes
Yes
Yes
UNDERSTANDING OF CIM (AFTER CAUSE AND EFFECT DISCUSSION)
30% of respondents perceived climate change induced disasters are the main push factors for migration.
50% of respondents perceived climate change induced disasters are the main push factors for migration.
42% of respondents perceived climate change induced disasters are the main push factors for migration.
TEMPORARY VS PERMANENT MIGRATION
Mostly seasonal or temporary migration for gaining employment lost as a result of disasters (droughts, floods) or extreme weather conditions.
Both. Seasonal or temporary migration for gaining employment lost as a result disasters or extreme climate. Permanent migration due to rising sea level and loss of assets.
Mostly seasonal or temporary migration for gaining employment lost as a result of disasters (droughts, floods) or extreme weather conditions.
FORCED VS PLANNED RELOCATION
Mostly planned. Some people choose to leave for better economic opportunities. In events of GLOF and flooding, communities have no choice but to migrate.
Mostly planned. Some people choose to leave for better opportunities. Some people have no choice due to sea intrusion and loss of fish.
Mostly planned when drought conditions prolong. Some communities are forced to migrate because of flooding or desertification and water scarcity.
MOST VULNERABLE SEGMENT / MIGRATING COMMUNITIES
Poor farmers, women, children, persons with disabilities, communities in flood prone regions and GLOF regions.
Fisher folk, women, children, persons with disabilities and communities living along the coast.
Poor farmers, women, children, persons with disabilities, communities living in prolonged drought regions and flood prone regions.
CHANGES IN MIGRATING PATTERNS
Difficult to distinguish.
Increasing with sea intrusion and frequent flooding.
Difficult to distinguish but increased in drought hit regions.
Historically, migration in Pakistan has been associated with differences in rural-urban labour productivity and human development, which was the most popular reason outlined by respondents for migration all over Pakistan. While the respondents distinguished between droughts and frequent flooding in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, prolonged droughts and occasional flooding in Balochistan and frequent flooding and sea Intrusion in Sindh, migration patterns were initially only seen as
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movement resulting from economic needs. However, it was observed that respondents from all three regions confused the challenge of migration taking place due to climate change and environmental reasons with migration taking place due to economic reasons. Due to clear evidence of sea level rise in Sindh, the respondents from the region were quickly able to establish the links between climate patterns and migration of communities.
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