Abstract

Migration is the movement of the people from one place to another. It has both positive and negative impact to the society. Development is the change of livelihood and growth that often related with migration. In border region villages always marked by inconsistencies of development and deprivation, shaped by state policies, cross-border mobility, and socio-economic transformations. This study examines the interrelationship between development initiatives and patterns of migration in the border villages of Nadia District, West Bengal, India. It is an area contiguous with Bangladesh and marked by historical, cultural, and economic interconnectedness. The central hypothesis posits that uneven development and limited livelihood diversification drive cyclical and seasonal migration, which in turn reshapes local economies and social structures. Drawing on a mixed-method approach combines household surveys, ethnographic fieldwork, and participatory observation in selected border villages, the study tests the hypothesis by mapping development indicators against migration intensity. The findings reveal that despite infrastructural improvements and state welfare interventions, persistent livelihood insecurity, land fragmentation, and border-related restrictions continue to propel migration, both internal and transnational, as a coping and aspirational strategy. Migration has generated new income streams and remittance-based development but has also deepened social differentiation and gendered vulnerabilities. The paper concludes that borderland development must be reconceptualized beyond physical infrastructure and to include inclusive livelihood planning and frame rural development policies. Anthropologically, the article highlights how border villages function as dynamic socio-economic spaces, where people tactically negotiate state interventions and mobility opportunities.

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