Volume V Special Issue VI December 2025

Name of Author : Emilda George

Title of the paper : TRENDS AND PATTERNS OF CLIMATE INDUCED MIGRATION IN KERALA

Abstract: Climate change has emerged as a defining driver of human mobility, especially in environmentally fragile regions such as Kerala. This paper investigates the trends and patterns of climate induced migration in Kerala, examine how environmental stressors floods, sea level rise, coastal erosion, salinization, and livelihood loss affect population movement. Drawing upon secondary data from reports, case studies, and journal articles, the study identifies major zones of vulnerability and explores socio economic factors shaping migration decisions. The major findings indicate that migration in Kerala manifests in diverse forms, such as permanent relocation from coastal and backwater areas due to tidal flooding and land subsidence, seasonal or temporary movement during monsoonal floods or landslides and internal rural to urban migration for livelihood adaptation. The study also finds that migration is predominantly intra state, with poorer and resource dependent groups more likely to be displaced. Although the state government has launched several disaster management and adaptation initiatives, a comprehensive policy framework for climate induced migration remains absent. The paper argues that migration should be viewed not merely as a consequence of environmental change but as a potential adaptation strategy supported by policy, planning, and resilience measures. Recommendations include developing a state level climate-mobility policy, improving data collection, and integrating mobility considerations into land use and urban planning.

Keywords : Climate change, Migration, Environment, Livelihood

DOI :

Page Number : 173-176