Climate Change, Food Insecurity and Migration: Understanding the Nexus in Shaping Migration Trend in Gandaki Province of Nepal

Sammanfattning

This study investigates the complex nexus between climate change, food insecurity, and migration in Gandaki Province, Nepal. It explores how climate-induced environmental stressors such as erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and natural disasters disrupt agricultural productivity and exacerbate food insecurity, thereby influencing household migration decisions. Employing a qualitative exploratory approach, the research draws on semi-structured interviews with residents and migrants from the Baglung district to examine lived experiences and perceptions of climate impacts. The findings reveal that migration serves as a critical adaptation strategy for rural households confronting agricultural decline and food insecurity.The thesis applies the “drivers of migration” concept alongside the “migration as adaptation” paradigm to analyze how environmental stressors induce food insecurity, shapes migration decisions. Ultimately, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of migration as an adaptive response, particularly among households facing extreme environmental stress, diminishing agricultural returns, and limited livelihood alternatives. These climate-induced migration patterns, rather than being merely reactive responses to crises have emerged as proactive strategies that enable households to diversify income, strengthen resilience, and reduce vulnerability to environmental pressures. Furthermore, the findings might offer valuable insights for policy development and researches emphasizing the importance of recognizing migration as a legitimate form of climate adaptation.