This study investigates migration dynamics and livelihood diversification strategies among 300 riparian households in six villages along the Kulik River in Uttar Dinajpur district, West Bengal. Using a stratified purposive sampling technique and a mixed-method approach, the research aims to analyze the drivers of migration and the coping mechanisms adopted in this trans-boundary socio-ecological system. The study area is a vulnerable region within the Indo-Bangladesh Barind tract. Findings show that while long-term migration to the district is primarily driven by marriage, short-term and seasonal mobility among riparian communities is predominantly influenced by economic instability (57%), food insecurity, and the decline of traditional livelihoods. The most common coping mechanisms during floods are selling livestock (33.33%) and taking loans (27.67%). Households prefer to adopt sustainable strategies like diversifying income sources (57.67%) and livestock (54%) over distress measures like selling assets (28.33%).
Biswas⃰ et al. (Thu,) studied this question.