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Indian Cartographer |Vol.35|2015 167
IMPACT OF IN-MIGRATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF
DELHI
Md. Safikul ISLAM1 & Lubna SIDDIQUI2
ABSTRACT
Migration is one of the major components of population growth apart from fertility and mortality. The in-migration in
Delhi is due to pull factors like employment, education, business, tourism etc. Being the capital of India, Delhi attracts
migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir
etc. Migration fulfils the demand of labour and skills in economic activities but on the other hand it also degrades the
quality of natural environment. This paper is an attempt to examine the impact of environmental degradation in Delhi
due to increasing number of migrants since 2001. The present study is entirely based on secondary sources of information
and data such as Census of India and various other study reports. The results show an increasing trend of migrants
during the last decade (2001-2011). The students and employment aspirants are predominant among migrants, thus the
pressure on infrastructural facilities such as education and economic sectors is increasing day by day and it affects the
quality of Delhi’s environment. An intense analysis is necessary to examine the impact of migration on environment in
Delhi and its surrounding area (NCR).
Keyword(s): Pull Factors, Migration, Impacts, Environment, Sustainable Development.
1. Research Scholar, Department of Geography, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Email : safik.delhi@gmail.com
2. Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Email : lubna.siddiqui08@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION
In-migration has become one of the most important
factors for rapid population growth since the
evolution of urbanisation.It hasalso become one of
the leading factors behind urban sprawl of mega city
like Delhi in India by creating an environment of huge
population within a limited geographical area. People
are migrating to Delhi from all over India and even
from abroad but most of the migrants are coming
from the surrounding states like Uttar Pradesh,
Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar,
West Bengal, Jharkhand etc. Out of total migrants,
more than 75 per cent migrants are occupied by two
states named Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.The population
of Delhi has increased from 40.66 lakh in 1971 to 167.5
lakh in 2011. The in-migration during same period
has increased from 8.76 lakh in 1971 to 32.36 lakh in
2011while the share of out-migration from Delhi has
slightly increased from 2.42 lakh in 1961-71 to 3.82
lakh in 2001-2011. Therefore, the net migrants (In-
migrants – Out-migrants) to Delhi have steadily
increased from 6.34 lakh during 1961-71 to 28.54 lakh
during 2001-2011. Such kind of emerging phenomena
has resulted in a continuous urban sprawl and
deterioration of the urban environment in Delhi. The
effects of rapid growth of population, urbanization
and urban sprawl on physical environment,
amenities and infrastructure of Delhi have created a
vulnerable environment against sustainable
development of urban lives. There are many large
scale economic activities for survival and
development of urban people on one hand but rapid
growth of population due to in-migration has created
lots of environmental problems regarding air
contamination (air pollution), ground water scarcity,
heap of solid waste etc. on the other hand. There must
be some important pull factors which encourage
migrants to migrate from other states to the National
Capital Territory of Delhi (NCTD).
Pull Factors
Employment: Delhi that being the Capital of India
generates enormous job opportunities for labours,
skilled and unskilled workers. Therefore people who
are not paid well or who do not have enough job
opportunities in their native place or the once who
are looking for growth and better job opportunities
are attracted towards Delhi.
Education:It is one of the most important pull factors
for migration towards Delhi. Delhi is seen as the best
destination for higher and tertiary education. Delhi
has India’s best colleges and universities like
University of Delhi (DU), Jawaharlal Nehru
University (JNU), Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Jamia
Hamdard University, IGNOU etc. and other technical
(IIT) and medical (AIIMS) universities. Delhi also has
been created a hub of IAS coaching centres.
Marriage: Generally women migrate from one place
to Delhi after getting marriage if their husband’s
native place is in Delhi or husband is doing job in
Delhi. That is why women are relocated after
marriage.
Business: frequent migration towards Delhi are
found for business purpose. Such kind of migration
are generally are of short duration.
Administrative Work:Delhi is the Capital of the
168 Indian Cartographer |Vol.35|2015
country, all the administrative works in Supreme
Court, High Court, Secretariat, Parliament etc. are
performed here. So, people also migrate to Delhi for
Administrative works.
Others:Delhi is also the hub of architecture and
sculpture like Red Fort (Lal Qilla), Qutub Minar, Jama
Masjid, Akshardham Temple, Lotus Temple etc.
Tourists from all over the country and even abroad
visit here.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Ishtiaque, A. and Sofi Ullah, M. (2013) in their
research paper “The Influence of Factors of Migration
on the Migration Status of Rural-Urban Migrants in
Dhaka, Bangladesh” have highlighted several factors
which are responsible for rural-urban migration
influencing the migrant’s migration status. Their
main objective of this paper to discuss the influence
of migration factors on the determination of
migration status of the rural-urban migrants’. They
have purposively selected the largest slum of
Bangladesh according to single criterion- high
concentration of rural-urban migrants. A total of 263
face to face interviews and 5 FGDs have been
conducted. According to results, multivariate
analyses have shown that both push and pull factors
influence the migration status of migrants’, however,
social factors, except occupation at rural origin, do
not have any considerable influences.
Okpara, E. E. (1986) in her research paper “Rural-
Urban Migration and Urban Employment
Opportunities in Nigeria” has demonstrated that
most studies of rural-urban migration in Third World
economies are basically modelled after the European
experience of rural-urban labour transfer during the
Industrial Revolution. Ideally, most rural-urban
migrants of the time found wage employment in a
rapidly growing modern industrial sector while this
process has not been fully replicated in most Third
World countries like West Africa where the pace of
industrialization appears to lag behind the rate of
urbanization and rural to urban labour transfers in
essentially tertiary service centred. A sample of
traders has been used to illustrate two facets of this
induced behaviour, namely, self- employment in the
informal sector and the long run merchandise traders.
She finally has argued that many potential migrants
to the city especially those poorly qualified to seek
employment in most formal sector establishments are
generally aware of this unfavourable urban job
situation, and this knowledge affects their migration
behaviour.
Brockerhoff, M. (1994) in his article “The impact of
rural-urban migration on child survival” has
suggested that rural families can improve their
children’s survival chances by leaving the
countryside and settling in towns and cities to
minimize large rural-urban child mortality
differentials in many developing countries. He has
used data from Demographic and Health Surveys in
17 countries to assess the impact of maternal rural-
urban migration on the survival chances of children
under age 2 years in the late 1970s and 1980s. Results
have been shown that before migration, children of
migrant women had similar or slightly higher
mortality risks than children of women who
remained in the village. Children born after migrants
had settled in the urban area, however, gradually
experienced much better survival chances than
children of rural non-migrants, as well as lower
mortality risks than migrants’ children born in rural
areas before migration. The author has concluded that
many disadvantaged urban children would probably
have been much worse off had their mothers
remained in the village, and that millions of children’s
lives may have been saved in the 1980s as a result of
mothers moving to urban areas.
Banerjee, A. and Das, S. (2006) in their paper
“Population Environment and Development: Some
Issues in Sustainability of Indian Mega-Cities of New
Delhi and Kolkata (Calcutta)” have highlighted that
rapid population growth fuelled by in-migration has
been the hallmark of the leading mega cities of India,
creating a “top-heavy” structure of India’s
urbanisation. They also emphasised that rapid
population growth has resulted in a continuous urban
sprawl and deterioration of the urban environment
in most of parts of New Delhi and Kolkata. Their
paper is an attempt to decipher the effect of rapid
growth of population, urbanization and urban sprawl
on physical environment, amenities and
infrastructure of two Indian mega cities viz.New
Delhi, the present capital of India and Kolkata
(Calcutta), the earlier capital under the British rule in
India.
Jahan, M. (2012) in her article “Impact of Rural Urban
Migration on Physical and Social Environment: The
Case of Dhaka City” has highlighted the fact that-
rural urban migration is the principle component of
rapid and unplanned growth of towns and cities in
the developing countries. She has further added that
gross disparities in socio-economic opportunity
between urban and rural areas and frequent natural
disasters in some regions encourage large flow of
migrants from rural Bangladesh to the large cities.
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and her focus on
this article is migration to this city for being the capital
which identifies the factors contributing to the
migration process. She has also discussed the impact
of migration such as economic, demographic,
environmental and socio-cultural impacts which are
diverse both at the urban destination and at the rural
Indian Cartographer |Vol.35|2015 169
origin and she has focused on the urban end. The
author has finally examined the overall conditions
of the underprivileged, poor migrants and the
consequences of migration on the physical and social
environment on their choice of destination.
Hua, Q. (2012) in his research paper “Environmental
Effects on Rural to Urban Migration in China” has
emphasized that migration process has become
increasingly important in recent research on
population and the environment. A majority of the
existing migration and environment literature has
been focused on the environmental causes and
determinants of migration. With account of the
largest rural-to-urban migration flow in world history
and growing concerns about the environmental
problems accompanying its fast economic
development, China has provided a particularly
important case for migration and environment
research. The author has based his study on review
major migration theories and recent research on
environmental effects on migration and has paid
specific attention to the influences of environmental
factors on rural-to-urban labour migration in China.
A comprehensive multilevel conceptual framework
has been developed for studying the environmental
causes of rural-to-urban migration in China. He has
concluded his paper with showing some important
effects of land resources on household labour
migration decisions in rural China.
Adams, H. (2012) in her article “Impact of migration
on urban destination areas in the context of climate
change” has analysed the impact of climate change
that may have on urban migrant receiving areas as
well as their population and has provided possible
steps in addressing the substantial policy challenges
in this area. Environmental factors are clearly in some
cases already contributing to wider patterns of rural-
urban migration, but it is also the case that cities
themselves are often vulnerable to environmental
change and extreme weather. In this context she has
ensured that migrant vulnerability is a function of
exposure to hazard and adaptive capacity as well as
the degree of policy support to mitigate risk. Finally,
she has suggested that a key policy requirement is to
plan for continuing rural-urban migration in the
context of environmental change.
STUDY AREA
Delhi as a capital of India is situated in northern part
of country between the latitudes of 28° 24’ 17” and
28° 53’ 00” North and longitudes of 76° 50’ 24” and
77° 20’ 37” East. Delhi shares its borders with the
States of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Delhi has an
area of 1,483 sq. kms. Its maximum length is 51.90
kms and greatest width is 48.48 kms. Delhi is situated
on the right bank of the river Yamuna at the periphery
of the Gangetic plains. The meandering course of the
river Yamuna meets the ridge of Wazirabad to the
north; while to the south, the ridge branches off from
Mehrauli. The main city is situated on the west bank
of the river and Delhi constitutes 10 districts such as
North, North-East, West, South-West, New Delhi,
Central, South, South- East, East and North- East.
Physiography
There is a variation in the physiography of Delhi with
some major features like the river Yamuna, the
Aravalli range and the plains in between is made of
alluvium deposits of recent formation. The Delhi
Ridge and its four sections, the northern, the central,
the south central and the southern covers the farthest
extension of the Aravalli range, its spurs meeting the
Yamuna at two points in the north and the east.
Ecologically, the Ridge acts a barrier between the Thar
Desert and the plains and slows down the movement
of dust and wind from the desert. Moreover,The
Yamuna River and terminal part of the Aravalli hill
range are the two main geographical features of the
city. The Aravalli hill range is covered with forest and
is called the Ridges; they are the city’s lungs and help
maintain its environment. The Yamuna River is
Delhi’s source of drinking water and a sacred river
for most of the inhabitants.
714 mm and out of total rainfall, three- fourth falls in
monsoon season, i.e., July, August and September.
Heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of the Yamuna
can result in a flood like situation for the city. During
the summer months of April, May and June,
temperatures can rise to 40-45 C; winters are typically
cold with temperatures during December and
Location Map of Delhi
170 Indian Cartographer |Vol.35|2015
January falling to 4 to 5 C. February, March, October
and November are climatically the best months.
Apart from this, the entire climatic condition is same
as of Delhi. As regard the soil types, western part of
Delhi covers heavy rocky soil while soil becomes light
and loamy towards bank of Yamuna River.
Population
Delhi has been rewarded one of the most popular
cities in the country since ages. The Population of
Delhi according to 2011 census, stands at about 16
million, making it the 18th most populated State/UT
and second highest populated metropolitan city in
India. But according to 2015, the population is over
20 million and is considered as the highest populated
metropolitan city. The Union Territory of Delhi is the
capital of India and as a result it is a home to
considerable amount of population. Literacy rate and
sex ratio in Delhi are recorded as 86.34 per cent and
866 females per 1000 males respectively.
OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of the present study are:
• To assess the changing attributes of in-migrants
in Delhi since 2001
• To trace out the impact of in-migration on urban
infrastructure and morphology in Delhi
• To examine the impact of in-migration on urban
physical environment in Delhi
• To find out possible solutions and suggestions
for overcoming the emerging environmental
issues
DATABASE AND METHODOLOGY
The present study is entirely based on secondary
sources of data that have been collected from Census
of India (2001, 2011), Statistical Abstract of Delhi
(2014), Central Pollution Control Board of India
(2011), Indian State of Forest Report (2009), Economic
Survey of Delhi (2013) etc. Simple percentile method
has been used to show share and growth rate. As per
as the cartographic drawing is concerned, simple
graph, pie diagram and bar diagram have been
drawn.
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Decadal Growth of Migrants
Table 1 clearly shows that in-migrants are increased
from 22.22 lakhs in 2001 to 32.36 lakhs in 2011 with
45.63 per cent decadal growth while out migrants are
decreased from 4.58 lakhs in 2001 to 3.82 lakhs in 2011
with -16.59 per cent negative decadal growth. So, the
net migrants are increased rapidly from 17.64 lakhs
in 2001 to 28.54 lakhs in 2011.
Table 1
Decadal Growth of Migrants
Migration Census Decadal
Year Growth (in
(Projected) Percentage
2001 2011
In-migrants (lakh) 22.22 32.36 45.63
Out-migrants (lakh) 4.58 3.82 -16.59
Net Migrants (lakh) 17.64 28.54 61.79
Source: Census of India, 2011.
State-wise Share of Migration
Out of all the states from where migrants are coming
to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are predominant.
The percentage of migrants of Uttar Pradesh has
increased from 43.13 percent in 2001 to 46.5 per cent
in 2013 and in case of Bihar; migrants have increased
at alarming rate from 13.63 per cent to 30.7 per cent.
The contributions of other significant states like
Haryana, Rajasthan, West Bengal etc. have slightly
decreased (Table-2).
Fig. 1: State-wise Share of Migration in Delhi
Reasons of Migration
According to table 3, about half (51 per cent) of the
total migrants have changed their native place due
to searching of employment and job opportunities in
Delhi. Out of rest of the migrants, 23 per cent is
migrated for better employment, 17.6 percent for
education and training, 4.4 percent for taking up
better employment and 4.2 per cent for other reasons
including marriage, business etc.
Table 2
State-wise Share of Migration in Delhi
(Migrants in Percentage)
States Year
2001 2013
Uttar Pradesh 43.13 46.5
Bihar 13.63 30.7
Haryana 10.43 4.1
Rajasthan 5.16 2.9
West Bengal 3.22 2.9
Others 24.43 12.9
Total 100 100
Source: Statistical Abstract of Delhi, 2014.
Indian Cartographer |Vol.35|2015 171
Trend of Land use Change
Table 4 is representing the trend of land use change
since 1980-81. Fallow land and Net Area Sown have
decreased from 22.18 percent and 39.7 per cent in 1980-
81 to 13.03 per cent and 15.7 per cent in 2014-15
respectively. As a result, Built-up Area has
subsequently increased from 35.31 per cent to 62.85
per cent during the same period of time to
accommodate the huge number of population.
Impact on Air Quality
The composition of air has been disturbed at an
alarming rate due to contamination of pollutants like
different gases, smokes, suspended particulate matters
(SPM), respirable suspended particulate matters
Table4
Trend of Land use Change in Delhi
(1980-81 to2014-15)
Census Fallow Net Area Built-up
Year Land Sown Area
(percentage) (percentage) (percentage)
1980-81 22.18 39.7 35.31
1990-91 8.72 32.79 50.34
2000-01 7.83 23.08 60.81
2010-11 13.59 15 62.85
2014-15 13.03 15.7 62.85
Source: Census of India, 2011.
Table 3
Important Reasons of Migration
Reasons of Migration Percentage of Migrants
In search of employment 50.7
In search of better employment 23
or higher salary and wages
To take up better employment 4.4
or higher salary and wages
Education and Training 17.6
Others (including marriage, 4.2
business etc.)
Total 100
Source: Statistical Abstract of Delhi, 2014.
Fig. 2: Reasons of Migration
Fig. 3: Trend of Landuse in Delhi
Table 5
Air Quality Index and Its Distinctive Characteristics
Air Levels of Colours Possible Impact on
Quality Health Health
Index Concern
(AQI)
0-50 Good Green Minimal Impact
51-100 Moderate Yellow Minor Breathing
Discomfort to
Sensitive People
101-150 Unhealthy Orange Breathing Discomfort
for Sensitive to the People with
Groups lungs, asthma and
heart diseases
151-200 Unhealthy Red Breathing Discomfort
to the Most People on
prolonged exposure
201-300 Very Purple Respiratory Illness on
Unhealthy Prolonged Illness
300-500 Hazardous Maroon Effects healthy
People and Serious
Impacts to those with
Existing Diseases
Source: www.google.com (google image).
(RSPM) etc. According to table 6, SO2and NO2have
increased from 14.1 and 41.8 to 15 and 66 respectively
during last decade while CO has decreased from 4183
to 2020. As far as the proportion of particulate matter
in the air is concerned, SPM and RSPM have also
increased from 382 and 150 to 438 and 281 respectively.
Table 6
Air Quality Levels in Delhi
Year SO2NO2CO SPM RSPM
2000-01 14.1 41.8 4183 382 150
2004-05 8.8 55.9 2541 373 168
2010-11 15 66 2020 438 281
Source: Department of Environment GNCTD/DPCC & CPCB.
172 Indian Cartographer |Vol.35|2015
Table 7
Increasing Number of Registered Vehicles
Census Year Total Registered Vehicles (in Lakhs)
1980-81 5.21
1990-91 17.64
2000-01 34.56
2010-11 74.38
Source: Census of India, 2011
There are so many reasons of air pollution but the
most important and devastating reason is smoke
caused by burning of fuels from vehicles. The highest
percentage of pollutants is contributed by vehicles.
The numbers of vehicles are still increasing since 5.21
lakhs in 1980-81 to 74.38 lakhs in 2010-11 without
stopping anyhow. It means that number of vehicles
has increased 15 times more within last four decades.
So, as a result increasing numbers of vehicles are
gradually adding the amount of pollutants and smoke
in the air decade by decade.
as a result it has also increased the heap of solid waste
on the other hand.
Fig. 4: Total Registered Vehicles (Lakhs)
Increases in Solid Waste
According to table 8, the amount of municipal solid
waste per day has increased with increasing
population of Delhi due to enormous in-migration.
The above table is showing the fact that solid waste
has increased from 4000 tonnes per day in 1999-00 to
5922 tonnes per day and subsequently it has reached
to 6800 tonnes per day. Rapid population growth has
widened the world of consumption in one hand but
Table 8
Increase in Municipal Solid Waste
Year Municipal Solid Waste (tonnes/day)
1999-00 4000
2004-05 5922
2010-11 6800
Source: Municipal Solid Waste Study, CPCB, 2011
Fig. 5: Municipal Solid Waste in Delhi
Forest and Tree Cover
There is good news for Delhi that it has been covered
by green forest and tree covers. Furthermore, the area
under forest and tree cover has increased from 22 sq.
km (1.48 per cent) in 1992-93 to 299.59 sq. km (20.2
per cent) in 2008-09. The tree cover is still increasing
continuously with the effort of Plantation under
Green Delhi. In 2011-12, it targeted 15.96 lakhs
plantation and has achieved 17.34 lakhs plantation.
Table 9
Expansion of Forest and Tree Cover Area
Year Forest and Tree Percentage in
Cover (Sq. Km) Total Area
1992-93 22 1.48
2000-01 151 10.2
2008-09 299.59 20.2
Source: Forest Department, Government of National Capital
Territory of Delhi
Fig. 6: Forest and Tree Cover
CONCLUSIONS
The present study has examined the impacts of in-
Indian Cartographer |Vol.35|2015 173
migration on urban environment in Delhi and one
thing should be noted that the same kind of impacts
due to in-migration are prevailed in other mega cities
like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Patna
etc. The main findings of the present study are as
under:
• Decadal growth of in-migrants in 2011 has been
found near about half of the total in-migrants of
2001. Contrary to this, the growth of out-migrants
has declined. So, more numbers of in migrants
lead to pressure on population of Delhi.
• More than 77 per cent of migrants are contributed
by Uttar Pradesh and Bihar combined.
• There are many reasons behind in migration but
the most important reasons are search of
employment and education in Delhi.
• Since 1980-81, the area under residential built-
up has increased while fallow land net sown area
has decreased proportionally.
• According to Air Quality Index in 2011, the level
of Delhi’s air is very unhealthy leading to
respiratory illness on prolonged illness.
• The amount of solid waste per day is still
increasing at an alarming rate due to huge
consumption.
• It is very pleased to share that the green forest
and tree cover increasing with great effort.
SUGGESTIONS
• Enough job opportunities and education should
be provided at native place by the combined co-
operation of union and state government. So,
there will be less migration as compared to
present rate. As a result, the pressure on
population as well as resources will be reduced.
• The area under residential built-up and cultivable
land should be regulated by government.
• There must be an ordinance for availing eco-
friendly (CNG) vehicles.
• The plantation effort under Green Delhi should
not be stopped in future.
• There must be possible advanced technologies
to dispose and recycle of solid waste quickly.
• Last but not the least, self -consciousness or
awareness about optimum resource utilisation
towards sustainable development must be
attained.
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