Bhubaneswar: Migration has emerged as a major social issue and a driver of change in contemporary society, with around 45 crore people in India having moved away from their place of birth for various reasons, said Umi Daniel, senior policy and programme advisor at Migration, Human Trafficking & Climate Change.

Daniel was speaking during a session on Migration & Climate at the Earth Again Conference 2026 organised by the Sambad Group in the Odisha capital on Friday.

Daniel said people who stay away from their place of birth or original residence continuously for six months or more are generally considered migrants. The trend is increasing as people move in search of employment, education and other livelihood opportunities.

He also highlighted the significant participation of women in migration. According to an estimate cited by him, around 70 per cent of women migrate in search of work and employment opportunities, indicating changing patterns of economic participation and social mobility.

Daniel said the younger generation is increasingly losing interest in agriculture due to several factors, including climate change, irregular rainfall, drought and natural disasters, which have made farming increasingly uncertain. Lack of adequate knowledge and skills related to modern agricultural practices and technology is another factor discouraging young people from pursuing farming.

As traditional agriculture becomes less attractive, more young people are moving towards urban areas in search of alternative livelihood opportunities, he said.

However, Daniel noted that the expected socio-economic transformation has not been adequately reflected among tribal communities. Despite their deep dependence on forests and land, many tribal communities continue to remain relatively distant from the mainstream development process.

He pointed to the shortage of livelihood opportunities and employment in rural areas as another major factor behind migration. Agricultural activities have declined, while workers are reportedly receiving less than 50 days of employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), despite the provision for up to 100 days of employment to eligible rural households.

Daniel also highlighted the skill gap among Odisha’s youth. He said many young people lack the skills required to secure employment and work safely outside the state, limiting their employability and increasing their vulnerability when they migrate.

Citing Keonjhar as an example, he said that even in a mineral-rich district with thousands of crores of rupees available through the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) and various government schemes, people continue to travel thousands of kilometres in search of employment.

Daniel stressed that migration itself should not necessarily be viewed as harmful. Instead, he said migrant workers should have access to appropriate skills, workplace safety, alternative livelihood opportunities and mechanisms that enable them to return home with dignity.