Migration season at peak in dry Satara

If the Census figures are anything to go by, the dry plateau regions of Satara have been witnessing a slow but steady migration.

In fact, the persistent drought conditions in the region have been driving people out ever since British times, say activists, adding that the lack of corrective measures post-Independence are only keeping the momentum going.

While many youth in the Khatav and Mann talukas, two of the worst drought-hit talukas in Satara’s 11, have already shifted to Pune, Thane and Mumbai in search of livelihood, others are likely follow suit in view of worsening drought conditions.

A dozen youth from Aundh village have left for Mumbai in last six months to work as painters and screenpainters, says teacher-activist Jayawant Kharade, pointing out how its population has dropped from 9,000 in 2001 to 7,500 in the 2011 census.

But migration is nothing new in these parched lands, says activist Dr Bharat Patankar. “Though it started during the British rule, migration continued when conditions did not change post-Independence. Now, it has become a perennial thing, with at least one person from each of 1 lakh families living in the five tehsils of Satara migrating to Mumbai or Pune for survival,” says Patankar.

Confirming that 6,000 of the 1.99 lakh people in the Mann taluka have permanently migrated to other cities in the past year, Mann tehsildar Jogendra Katiyare said even seasonal migration had shot up owing to water and fodder scarcity.

“People who were rearing sheep and goat must now flee to Konkan or brick kilns for work,” added Katiyare.

With the migration season catching on, village youth like Pradeep Yadav, Rahul Mane, Himmat Pisal, Vikas Pote, all farmers in their post-teens of  Gosavychiwadi village, don’t know what to do without crop.

“If things don’t improve, we too may shift to Mumbai like our friends,” says Pradeep.