Abstract
In recent decades, as a consequence of environmental degradation and poor resource management in the marginal hilly areas of Uttrakhand (India) forced the males of the region to out-migrate in search of better employment. Due to lack of off-farm activities in these hilly areas, the burden of livelihood directly falls upon the womenfolk, who are considered as a 'Milieu Managers'. This has been reflected in the increasing participation of women in the economy of the study area. The present paper focuses on the pattern of migration and its adverse impact of increasing workload on the women of the study area. The study uses primary data collected through household surveys in Khulgad watershed, Almora district of the Kumaun Himalaya, Uttrakhand (India). Therefore, the key objective of the study is to analyse the increasing work participation of women operating at different sub-systems, impact of environmental degradation and role of women in sustaining the traditional agro-ecosystem in Khul Gad micro-watershed of the Kumoun Himalaya.
Highlights
Uttarakhand is one of the states marked by large number of population residing in the hills of the rural areas
2015, pp. 118-123 collected from the Census of India, 2011 for Almora district, as the watershed, the study area is a part of this administrative unit
The present paper revealed that a woman in migrant household has to devote about 1.44 hours more time than the women of non-migrant household in day to day activities as a result of out- migration of male members
Summary
Uttarakhand is one of the states marked by large number of population residing in the hills of the rural areas. These hilly rural areas offer most tough working and living conditions for its inhabitants. The areas do not provide conducive terrains for the development of industries or other sources of employment generation. The absence of industries and other sources of income and employment generation in these areas have always hooked its inhabitants towards agriculture and allied activities (Kandari, 2013). The entire state of Uttarakhand has a considerable population residing in the rural hill environs, wherein the terrain offers the toughest working and living conditions. The contribution of agriculture to the state’s domestic product is about 22.4 per cent (Agricultural Statistical at a Glance, 2014)
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