Climate Refugees in India: A Wake-up Call for an Inclusive Policy

Abstract

Earth’s climate is changing drastically and its effect is being felt over the entire world. Some nations suffer more because of several geographical and demographical factors. People have started migrating from their homeland because of the disasters occurring due to climate change. These migrants commonly known as climate refugees are homeless and without rights. However, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has recognised the need to protect climate refugees and has taken initiatives to relocate the climate refugees. Recently, the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) ruled that no country can send back a refugee whose life is at imminent threat due to climate change. Even though this decision is non-binding on the countries, it puts an international pressure on countries to act soon concerning climate refugees. India is one of the countries which might face a great migrant influx from neighbouring countries. The Sundarbans 1 Delta of Bangladesh is one of the high-risk areas and it is estimated that around 50–120 million climate refugees might migrate to India. India needs to be prepared for this crisis and develop a sound refugee policy framework.  Against this backdrop, this research article aims to highlight legal issues relating to the protection of climate refugees in India and suggests policy measures to overcome the crisis.