Impact Of Immigration In Assam

Introduction: 

 Immigration is a natural process. Due to many reason., people immigrate from one place to another. But in Assam immigration has been emerging serious burning problem. Its impacts are seen in all fields- political, social, economic etc. and etc.

Both long term and short term impacts are seen in an economy as a result of immigration. Widespread impacts are observed in political, economic and social life of Assam due to illegal immigration from foreign countries like Bangladesh etc. The following are the major impacts of immigration in Assam economy

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1.       Population explosion   : Population is increasing rapidly as a result if immigration. There were only 32 lakh people in Assam in 1902 and it has increased to 3 cr. in 2011. The population growth rate has been higher in Assam related to the national average.

2.       Too much pressure on land : The rapid population growth as a result of immigration is creating an excessive pressure on land.  In 1921, the density of population per kilometer was only 42 which has increased to 397 in 2011. Per capita land availability is thus declining rapidly. 

3.       Environmental degradation: Too much pressure of population as a result of immigration has been transforming many forest and environmentally sensitive areas into habitat. Deforestation and loss of biodiversity have been increasing rapidly. It has impacted on the weather and climate stability of the region.

4.       Evil Effects on labor market:  Immigration adversely affects the labor markets of the home country. Immigration creates the availability of cheap laborers. As a result, the existing or former home laborers have to leave their jobs or to work at lower wage rate

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5.       Tribal conflicts: The immigrants generally occupy the areas reserved for the tribal people. This illegal occupation leads to tribal conflict and also increases terrorism which Assam has been surviving since its independence.  

6.       Price Rise: Due to illegal immigration, the population is increasing rapidly. But the agriculture products are not increasing at that ratio. As a result, the price of agricultural commodities and other goods are increasing day by day in Assam.

7.       Social problem: The immigrants have some particular religious and linguistic characteristics which differ from the indigenous social structure. This creates social problems. 

8.       Increase in govt. spending: The immigrants result the rise in government spending. They somehow achieve the facilities provided to citizens by the govt. but pay no direct tax.