Transforming Host Lands: A Study of Nepalese Migrant Farmers in Depopulating Regions of Garhwal Himalayas

The postcolonial social transformations in Nepal spurred a significant exodus of its people to other countries. Traditionally, India has been a primary destination for Nepalese migrants due to historical, cultural, and geographical ties. However, the economic reforms of the 1990s and global economic shifts have led to a growing interest in destinations beyond India, such as the Gulf countries, Southeast Asia, Australia, and others. Despite this, migration pathways remain deeply tied to class positions, with wealthier individuals opting for distant, economically developed regions, while marginal or lower-income individuals, often lacking the resources for more expensive migration routes, tend to move to neighboring countries.

This study delves into the such dynamics of south-south migration, specifically highlighting the flow of Nepalese migrant families from the far-western provinces of Nepal to the remote, rural areas of the western Himalayas. The research is based on the regions of the Garhwal Himalayas, particularly its depopulating and remote areas, which have become a critical destination for these migrants.

By employing qualitative research, the study focuses on the familial strategies of these migrants for livelihood, most of whom were farmers. Those who were farmers in their home region continued this occupation in the host regions, while others, who may not have been involved in agriculture initially, adapted by acquiring farming skills, particularly focusing on vegetable cultivation.

The study examines the interaction between these migrant farmers and the host region's landscape. It investigates how these Nepalese migrants, through vegetable farming, contribute to the local economy by revitalising the fallow and barren lands left by the inhabitants. The study highlights that by transforming previously uncultivated lands into productive agricultural spaces through modern farming methods, they sustain their livelihood, if not only they become the helping hands of the left-behind population.