Synopsis Circular migration, much of it seasonal, is an integral part of the livelihood strategies of millions of poor people living in agriculturally marginal areas. This book pulls together fresh field evidence which shows how migration and commuting are sustaining and improving livelihoods in rural India today, a reality that is mostly bypassed by official statistics. Although millions of people migrate for part of the year to access better jobs, smooth consumption, and risk, policy is not geared to meet their needs. Unless urgent steps are taken to provide social protection to the poorest and most vulnerable migrants, large groups of people will fail to reach the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals).  Written by researchers, demographers, ethnographers, and analysts, this exhaustive volume addresses the basic question: how the contribution of migration to reducing poverty can be enhanced in areas that have little prospect of providing even basic livelihoods for their overwhelmingly poor rural populations. In-depth case studies from states that have a high incidence of circular migration such as Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan provide evidence of the substantial contribution made by migrants to the national economy. This volume will be of interest to development practitioners, aid agencies, NGOs, policymakers, academics, and students working on rural poverty reduction and rural development.