THE TRUE COST OF COAL – INDIA.
Jharia: A living pyre
Jharia is one of the most important coal mines in India and one of the largest in Asia. Once a treasure trove of high-quality coking coal, uncontrollable coal fires have turned the mine into a hell hole.
Crumbling under fire and subsidence, Jharia is a place of smouldering land and noxious fumes that make breathing difficult. Yet thousands of inhabitants cling to this collapsing town, eking out a living. Many of them are illegal coal collectors, who spend their days frantically picking up pieces of coal from the mine dump to sell at the local market for Rs.50 (US$1.20) a basket.
Ill health adds to the sense of despair in the town. Pollution invades everything – air, water and land. Smoke from the fires contains poisonous gases including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. These fumes, along with fine coal dust from the fires, are the cause of several lung and skin diseases.
As Jharia burns, people continue to put up with the horrendous conditions, the disease, pollution and threat of displacement. Why? Because they have no other choice.