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Jharia, India 2020
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A woman on her way to collect the water from the small river near by Lilori Pathara village. It is their only source of water, eventhough the river is polluted with heavy metals. Jharia, India 2020
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Children from Lilori Pathara village posing for a photo. Most of the children suffer from malnutrition, pulmonary deseases and skin conditions. India 2020
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Ruins of a collapsed house damaged by the underground fires. Smoke, methane gas and flames are constantly coming out making life dangerous for the Lilori Pathara villagers. India 2020
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A large open fire burns near Lilori Pathara village. These crackers are situated at few meters from residents house. India 2020
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A man with his dog poses for photo. Bokapahari village, India 2020
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People working at MOCT, the biggest open cast mine. India 2020
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Trucks waiting to be loaded with coal. Smoke, methane gas and flames are constantly coming out making life dangerous for workers. India 2020
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Miners's feet covered in coal dust. India 2020
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Ilegal miners collect coal in the early morning hours. The coal mine belonging to the BCCL company has been closed for years, but even without any general knowledge about mining they risk their lives every day anyway. India 2020
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Underground fires were first recorded in Jharia in 1916, and have since continued to spread, destroying properties and killing lives around Jharia.The land often collapses, sometimes with fatal consequences for the locals. India 2020
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People collecting the coal which fell out of the transporting truck. They take the coal to their villages and make charcoal. India 2020
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Raju, miner from Jharia poses for a portrait. The miners work for 9-10 hours a day and make $ 3 a day loading the coal trucks in the BCCL coal mines. India 2020
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Men carrying the stolen coal on their heads. The baskets weigh 40-50kg each. Daily earnings are between $2.5 and $3. India 2020
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Residents making charcoal of stolen coal next to their houses. India 2020
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People from the Gothar village are packing charcoal which they made the night before in order to sell it at ilegal market. India 2020.
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A man making charcoal of the stolen coal in Lilori Pathara village. India 2020
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A man is transporting packed charcoal to sell at ilegal market in the nearby city of Dhanbad. Usually the load weighs around 350 kg. Every sack sells for around $1.5. The majority of buyers are common people that use the charcoal in their households. India 2020
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Families from various villages with underground fires have been rehabilitated in Belgharia township. Unemployment and alchol abuse are very common. India 2020
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An old man holding his grandchild. India 2020