A pioneering research project exploring the intricate nexus between climate-induced water stress and patterns of internal migration in rural regions of Nepal.
In response to the growing global concern surrounding environmental migration—particularly driven by water stress and climate variability—this pioneering research project has been successfully completed in rural regions of Nepal. The study explored the intricate nexus between climate-induced water stress and patterns of internal migration, with the goal of generating evidence-based insights to inform more adaptive and inclusive water and migration policies in Nepal.
Using a combination of geospatial analysis and socio-economic modeling, the project evaluated the impact of water stress on migration across 40 drought-vulnerable districts. The Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) was applied to satellite imagery through remote sensing and GIS to map the extent and severity of water stress over two critical time periods (2003 and 2010). Concurrently, statistical analyses—including a binomial logit model—were used to assess how water scarcity has influenced household migration decisions over the past two decades.
Beyond academic contribution, this research offers timely policy implications for Nepal's national and local governments. The findings equip decision-makers with the data needed to better target water security interventions and to integrate environmental migration considerations into urban planning, infrastructure development, and rural livelihood strategies.
