CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN MIGRATION: LAW AND POLICY PROSPECTS IN SOUTH ASIA

ABSTRACT Climate change poses unprecedented challenges to the nations and impacts on different nations differently depending upon the geographical location, economic development and social advancement. The individual or combined effects of the climate change have also triggered human migration both within and across national borders across the World. Various inter-governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations have clearly indicated about future waves of climate change induced human migration especially in South Asian region. South Asia facing the challenges of the climate change has been prone and vulnerable to the natural disasters and climatic hazards causing migration due to its geographical and political situation in the region. Despite such deliberations by the scientists, experts, IGIs and NGOs, South Asian region has not yet taken effective steps and measures for political and legal solutions to address climate induced migration. Against this backdrop, this article first of all examines the impacts of climate change and its linkage with human migration in South Asia. This also traces trends and instances of human migration induced by the climatic disasters in South Asia in recent times. Further, it explores existing legal and policy instruments adopted by the countries of South Asia to address impacts of climate change referring the human migration. This proposes that political solutions though are required specifically to deal with such migrants, but legal solutions should also be explored for the rights and remedies. Hence, they should enact specific legislation or amend existing legislations and initiate or improve the plans and policies for climate induced migrants.