Human mobility, in recent years, has increasingly been recognised as a positive driving force for development. This statement holds true, when the migration is carefully managed; but in most of the cases the promises of economic linkages and business opportunities give way to poverty and identity crisis. Internal migration (movement within the borders of the country) is mainly driven by social, economic and environmental factors individually or all of them acting together in that time-space. The complex relationships between environment and migration along with other socio-economic factors have influenced people to move either voluntarily or by necessity. Temporary or floating migration is common among poorer section who tend to migrate short distance in search of livelihood and secured habitation. This phenomenon was analysed and inferred by Ravenstein’s migration model based in England. Given this backdrop, the present paper will deal with the history of migration in West Bengal and then take two study areas- the Indian Sundarbans (the poor local communities) and the district of Purulia (the Santals) as the case to understand the present situation of intrastate migration and the resulting job/livelihood pattern change. These two places are two of the most backward regions of West Bengal with high incidence of poverty, hunger and malnutrition. Data have been collected using pre-tested schedules. In-depth interviews, case studies, focus group discussion (only in the Sundarbans) and observation were also taken into consideration. The secondary research primarily included the relevant works and scholarly articles. Although these two areas exhibit contrasting geographical features, still it was revealed through the study that the pattern of insecurity and deprivation confluence at a certain point. The paper will also try to understand socio-economic vulnerability of the local communities and try to find a solution to address the distress and rights violation.
