The mutual relationship between change in population distribution and its determinants and consequences on one hand, and social and economic development on the other, is becoming an increasingly important area of concern for researchers, policy makers and planners alike. During tha last several years the International Geographical Union Commission on Population Geography has devoted much of its attention to this problem and organized a series of international meetings focusing on population redistribution and its ramifications in different parts of the world. During one such meeting, held in 1980 in Karachi, Pakistan, some thirty papers were submitted by participants coming mostly from five countries in South Asia: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The present volume is an outcome of that symposium, but it should not be regarded merely as a report of proceedings; these have been published separately by the Commission. Furthermore, all Pakistani papers were published in their original version in a separate volume edited by M.1. Siddiqi, who coordinated local arrangements for the meeting on behalf of Karachi University. This present volume offers only a selection of the original papers, all substantially edited and thoroughly revised, and brings them together with additionally solicited texts. All original figures have been redrawn and tables and references have been updated and standardized as much as possible.

Demographically And Also Economically South Asian Region, Comprising The Countries Of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan And Sri Lanka, Is One Of The Critical Major Regions Of The World. By Word Standards, It Is Chararacterized By High Rate Of Population Growth, High Density And High Dependency. South Asian Population Growth Makes It Virtually Certain That The Tremendous Rate At Which Population Is Increasing Will Double The Number Of People In The Region Within Next 30 Or 40 Years, However Vigorous And Efficient Family Planning Programmes May Be. Indisputably, This Region Has Been Facing A Population Explosion Of Crisis Dimensions. The Entire Battle Against Poverty Is Thwarted By The Rapid Increase In Population. Without Reduction In The Rate Of Population Increase, The Cherished Hopes Of The People For Better Life Are Doomed To Frustration.In The Present Study, An Attempt Has Been Made To Analyse The Facts And Features Of South Asian Population And The Demographic Factors Affecting The Pace And Level Of Economic And Social Development In The Region. A Population Policy For The Region Is Also Worked Out, For South Asian S Population Problem Cannot Be Solved By Pretence And Wishful Thinking. It Is Emphasized That In The Present Context Of South Asia What Needed Is The Increase In The Productive Capacity To Support A Large Population On The One Hand And To The Reduction In Fertility Rates On The Other Hand So That Growth Of Population Is Stabilized At A Lower Level.

Most of the papers presented at a workshop held at Sussex in January 2001 and some contributed articles; previously published.

South Asians constitute the largest expatriate population in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Their contribution in the socio-economic, technological and educational development of GCC nations is immense. This book offers one of the first systematic analysis of South Asia–Gulf migration dynamics and its varied impact on countries such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It deals with public policy, socio-economic mobility, remittance policy, global financial crisis and labour issues. Bringing together essays from contributors from around the world, the volume reveals not only the multi-dimensionality of the migration process between the two regions, but also the diversity and the underlying unity of the South Asian countries. This book will be invaluable to scholars and students of migration studies, development studies and sociology as well as policy-makers, administrators, academics, and non-governmental organisations in the field.

This book discusses the displacement of urban populations, inequality, and poverty in three cities in South Asia—Colombo, Jaffna in Sri Lanka, and Kochi in India. It focuses on the long-term effect resettlement and relocation has on the lives and livelihoods of urban internal displacement of populations (IDPs) primarily from urban poor classes. It also discusses the concerns faced by the displacement in post-war Sri Lanka. It examines the impacts of conflict on poverty and recovery in peri-urban settings. It emphasizes the role of agency of urban IDPs in strengthening their own well-being. It draws attention to how the agency of urban IDPs is compromised by the displacement processes and the weak local level governance structures in the cities. The book is intended for researchers, graduate students, and teachers of Geography, Social Policy, Refugees and Migration Studies, History, International Development, Urban Studies, and South Asian Studies.