Place Attachment and Decisions to Move: A Study of Indian Migrants during Covid-19 Pandemic and Directions to Future Research

Abstract

The relation between attachment to places and human mobility are not straightforward or linear, but is frequently indirect and mediated by social, cultural and economic drivers. Migration affects people positively, but most migratory movement are due to economic issue, financial problem, unemployment, vulnerability, stress or shocks. This migratory movement has a place attachment angle that is now becoming increasingly noticed for several times. Place attachments are based on interpersonal interaction and can alter a person's perception of risk and coping techniques in areas prone to natural disasters. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on migrants. The interplay of COVID-19 and the decline in economic activity have led to both domestic and international instability. Due to environmental change, migration explains complex interactions, hazards and unpredictability. This study examines the problems and opportunities in terms of place for the immobile population that undergo environmental degradation and clarifies its significance in the pandemic situation in Indian context.