Environmental degradation and population movements : the role of property rights /

This study examines the linkages between environmental degradation (viewed primarily
as deforestation and land degradation) and the movement of population from one region to another
within a developing country. The hypothesis postulated is that the link between population and
environmental degradation is mediated by the nature of property rights in land. This hypothesis is
examined with the help of two alternative methodologies. Firstly, a simultaneous equations model
using data for the arid and semi-arid region of Western India illustrates that outmigration from the
region is largely the consequence of push factors such as environmental degradation and decrease
in common land. Alternatively, micro experiments in environmental protection and the creation of
common property rights on open access land in the same region indicate that the association between
migrational change, creation of common property rights and participation indices is high. It can
be concluded that once property rights are well defined with the help of appropriate institutional
arrangements, labour moves towards the creation of common assets and an improvement in the
environment takes place. Out migration is prevented and higher levels of population are supported
by the same resources.