กาวางแผนเชิงกลยุทธ์แบบบูรณาการของกระทรวงเกษตรและป่าไม้ด้านการย้ายถิ่นจากชนบทสู่เมืองในเขตทราชิกัง ประเทศภูฏาน

Abstract

This study aimed to study the rural-urban migration phenomena, socio-economic status of Trashigang and the existing strategies of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests to formulate integrated policies to reduce rural-urban Migration in Trashigang district, Bhutan. Data were collected through documentary research, small group discussion and in-depth interviews. A convenience sampling technique was instituted to select 30 informants which included migrants, non-migrants and policymakers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests including the local government officials. Results of the study revealed that in terms of migrants’ population, the male and the youth were relatively higher with 59% for male and 41% for female. In general, majority of the migrants (23.4%) had attended some level of education, the majority had higher secondary level education (5.6%). The main push factors for rural-urban migration in Bhutan were found to be lack of education facilities (46%), lack of off-farm jobs in rural areas (17%) and inadequate service facilities (15%). On the other hand, the pull factors were employment opportunities in urban areas (34%), family move (25%) and marriage (24%) among others. The study revealed that the positive impacts of rural-urban migration were income through remittances, less pressure on the natural environment, better health and sanitation, and the non-migrants inherit more family property shares. Whereas negative impacts are fallowing of arable land, labour shortage, the feminization of agriculture, slow development, loss of cultural values, weakening of family cohesion, an administrative problem during the annual census and tax collection, old age destitution and loss of skilled labours. There was a threat that local products may vanish as an increasing number of youths were found to be migrating to urban centres looking for better opportunities. While, currently there was no immediate or specific strategies on rural-urban migration in Bhutan, the government and in particular the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests had implemented certain interventions albeit the rural-urban migration was still on the rise. The study had recommended that importance must be placed on inclusive community based integrated policies to reduce migration in Trashigang district by four goals, by taking modern amenities to rural areas, making farming attractive in the rural areas, develop and promote agro-tourism, and promotion of cultural and eco-tourism. Further, the developmental approach needed to be shifted from the concentrated economic development approach to regional balanced economic development and decentralization to help reduce rural-urban migration and induce return migration in the long run.