Ecological Impact of Migration

Idukky district in Kerala witnessed a unique type of internal migration, the peasant migration. It was the origin of plantation in Kerala due to colonial intervention that brought about the necessary conditions for migration in Idukki district of Kerala. The peasants mainly migrated into Idukky from Tamilnadu and Travancore. The migration and subsequent agricultural expansion in Idukki district have changed land cover to farm lands, human settlements and urban centres at the expense of natural vegetation. The exodus of peasants from Travancore to the hilly district of Idukki and their settlement in the dense forest ultimately led to an expansion of agricultural activity. But large area of forest was destroyed at the time of this settlement phase. The indiscriminate felling of trees resulted in ruthless deforestation of Idukky district. All these had a serious impact on the livelihood of the tribal people and it led to serious impact on wild life and live stock population and created ecological imbalance in Idukki district.