PATTABI RAMAN

Photojournalist

In No Man’s Land

Seasonal migration is a phenomenon where an entire rural family is forced to migrate in search of subsistence. Many agro-industrial sectors in our country run largely on migrant labourers. Little Rann of Kutch, a 5000 square kilometer mud desert in western Gujarat, has abundant salt water and as a result people are forced to migrate and engage in salt cultivation. Almost fifteen thousand families are into this occupation.

Salt pan related migration is seasonal & cyclical lasting 6-8 months a year beginning just after monsoon and ending before the pre-monsoon showers. The salt pan is one of the harshest environments to live and work in. The occupants are largely the tribal Agariyas. They migrate as a family and live in makeshift huts made of wood and plastic sheets – completely cut off from fellow tribals and society at large; most of their children being forced to discontinue studies.

Summary
In No Man's Land
Article Name
In No Man's Land
Description
Seasonal migration is where an entire family is forced to migrate in search of subsistence. Many agro-industrial sectors in India run largely on migrant.
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