Permalink: https://media.greenpeace.org/archive/Jharia-Coal-Mine-Illegal-Picker-27MZIFLW6M41.htmlConceptually similarJharia Coal Mine Illegal PickersGP01KM3Completed★★★★Jharia Coal Mine Illegal PickerGP01KNTCompleted★★★★Toxic Fumes near Jharia Coal MineGP01KM0Completed★★★★Jharia Coal Mine WorkerGP01KNNCompleted★★★★Toxic Fumes near Jharia Coal MineGP01KM1Completed★★★★Child Playing in Jharia Coal MineGP01KMQCompleted★★★★A Sick Coal Worker in Jharia Coal MineGP01KLQCompleted★★★★X-rays at HospitalGP01KNMCompleted★★★★Security Guards in Jharia Coal MineGP01KLJCompleted★★★★View AllGP01KM2Jharia Coal Mine Illegal PickerAn illegal coal picker returns home raiding the open coal mines in Jharia amidst the toxic fumes that are released by the underground burning coal. 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 fires have turned the mine and the surroundings into a slow-burning inferno. Before coal was unearthed in this area, Jharia was a belt of dense forests inhabited by tribes. Now pollution invades everything - air, water and land. Smoke from the fires contains poisonous gases including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. Locations:Asia-India-Jharia-JharkhandDate:11 Oct, 2008Credit:© Greenpeace / Peter CatonMaximum size:2332px X 3504pxKeywords:Burning-Climate (campaign title)-Coal-Copy space-Day-Energy-Illegal-KWCI (GPI)-Local population-Manual workers-Miners-Mining-One person-Outdoors-Rajapur Coal Mine-Silhouettes-SmokeShoot:Jharia Coal Belt DocumentationJharia 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 fires have turned the mine and the surroundings into a slow-burning inferno. Before coal was unearthed in this area, Jharia was a belt of dense forests inhabited by tribes. Thousands of poor, mostly unskilled, migrants from neighboring states have settled in Jharia over the years. Most of them collect coal illegally to pay for their two meals a day. Ill health adds to the sense of despair in the area. 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, causes several lung and skin diseases. The problem is made worse by the fact that most mine workers, including shovel drivers, do not wear masks, boots or overalls. It's no surprise that the most common diseases in this area are pneumoconiosis, tuberculosis, asthma and other chronic lung disorders. Not only miners but everyone living in the area is affected.