The role of social media to highlighting migration issues in Uttarakhand

This study explores the role of social media in highlighting migration issues inUttarakhand, a Himalayan state where large-scale outmigration has become a persistentsocio-economic and demographic challenge. The research examines how digitalplatforms—such as Facebook, Twitter (X), YouTube, and WhatsApp—serve as spacesfor dialogue, awareness, and activism surrounding migration-related concerns. Througha descriptive and analytical approach, the study analyses online narratives, campaigns,and citizen-led initiatives that bring visibility to problems like unemployment, poorinfrastructure, declining agricultural prospects, and the resulting "ghost villages." Socialmedia has enabled local voices, journalists, and civil society groups to bypass traditionalmedia constraints and reach wider audiences, thereby influencing public opinion and, attimes, policy discourse. However, the study also identifies challenges such asmisinformation, superficial engagement, and the urban-rural digital divide, which limitthe impact of online advocacy. Overall, the findings suggest that social media hase merged as a significant tool for participatory communication and social mobilization,amplifying grassroots perspectives on migration and contributing to a more inclusiveunderstanding of development in Uttarakhand.