Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystem through Labour Outmigration: Findings from Sundarban in India

Abstract

This study examines the intergenerational occupational changes and their implications for reducing population pressure on the world's largest mangrove ecosystem and a biodiversity hotspot. Sundarban Delta, spread over India and Bangladesh with several million residents, is facing severe ecological stress due to overexploitation of aquatic resources. This study uses primary information on 1424 earning adults in 828 households in the periphery of the reserve forest on its Indian side and found a discernible trend of attrition from fishing activities. It is found that young males located near the reserve forest are increasingly opting for migrant labour jobs. Multinomial logit regression finds school education has a significant positive impact on individuals' migration decisions compared to fish/crab collection. Labour outmigration would reduce anthropogenic stress on the Sundarban ecosystem. This study concludes that providing incentives for school education up to the secondary level can be a crucial policy handle to reduce anthropogenic stress in this delta.