Consequences of Rural Migration to Cities: Analyzing the Impact and Solutions - PMS 2022 Solved Paper for Paragraph Writing

Consequences of Rural Migration to Cities

Rural migration is accelerating due to resource scarcity, with globalisation being a major driving factor. Consequently, measures are required to equip urban areas to accommodate this shift fully. Rural migration involves the transfer of goods, services, and people to urban areas in search of jobs, education, and resource accessibility. Following industrialisation in the 19th century, urbanisation began and spread rapidly. Most urban migration has occurred from developing to advanced countries and from third-world countries to developing countries for better access to resources. The world is shrinking into a global village, and for better living conditions, people are moving to urban areas for improved opportunities. Therefore, it is essential to make the urban migration process seamless and implement pragmatic measures for this purpose.

Rural migration has become a challenge for urban areas as it complicates the overall migration process. Several reasons drive migration to urban areas: first, global warming and the lack of basic facilities make rural areas challenging to live in due to scarce resources. For example, according to Pakistan's major newspaper, DAWN, 15-hour load shedding of gas and electricity makes it hard for residents to live in rural areas. Second, the absence of formal educational institutions makes it difficult for children to receive formal education. According to UNICEF, more than 18 million children are out of school, most of them from rural areas. Third, basic healthcare facilities are lacking for residents of small units and villages. For instance, there is only one healthcare unit available for every 1,000 patients. These causes contribute to the repercussions of rural migration.

While the repercussions of rural migration are significant, there is a need to take pragmatic measures to address unplanned migration. Both short-term and long-term measures are required. Primarily, the implementation of a five-year program is necessary in both letter and spirit. This program could include initiatives to improve rural infrastructure, create job opportunities, and enhance educational and healthcare facilities. Secondly, district management needs to plan and enforce laws for the equal distribution of resources. This could involve the establishment of resource distribution centres in rural areas. Lastly, raising awareness and building the required infrastructure to reduce migration numbers is essential. In conclusion, migration is a painful process for people, but due to inaccessibility to necessary facilities, it becomes difficult for them to lead their lives in rural areas.