Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Devastating Photos Of India's Illegal Coal Mines

People are seen carrying baskets of illegally scavenged coal from an open-cast mine in Bokapahari, a village in the Eastern Indian state of Jharkhand. .


People are seen carrying baskets of illegally scavenged coal from an open-cast mine in Bokapahari, a village in the Eastern Indian state of Jharkhand.

A young woman trips as she carries a large basket illegally mined coal..


A young woman trips as she carries a large basket illegally mined coal.

The scavengers often work with rudimentary tools and in extremely unsafe conditions..


The scavengers often work with rudimentary tools and in extremely unsafe conditions.

A worker climbs a rickety ladder while carrying about 132 pounds of coal that is supported by a head strap. .


A worker climbs a rickety ladder while carrying about 132 pounds of coal that is supported by a head strap.

Tunnels in these coal mines go three-hundred feet underground..


Tunnels in these coal mines go three-hundred feet underground.

A miner makes his way through one such tunnel at a mine in the district of Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, India..


A miner makes his way through one such tunnel at a mine in the district of Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, India.

But people from all over the country seek out such work that reportedly pays $150 per week. This is double the national average of about $75 per week..


But people from all over the country seek out such work that reportedly pays $150 per week. This is double the national average of about $75 per week.

Children are also exploited at these mines. An Indian non-profit Impulse believes 70,000 child miners worked in the mines in Jaintia Hills. The state government however rejected this figure and put it at about 222 workers..


Children are also exploited at these mines. An Indian non-profit Impulse believes 70,000 child miners worked in the mines in Jaintia Hills. The state government however rejected this figure and put it at about 222 workers.

12-year old Abdul Kayum works at a coal depot in the North East state of Meghalaya..


12-year old Abdul Kayum works at a coal depot in the North East state of Meghalaya.

Schools that offer education for free have a hard time convincing parents to send their children to school, since they are seen as a source of income. Here, an 8-year old boy is seen shoveling coal..


Schools that offer education for free have a hard time convincing parents to send their children to school, since they are seen as a source of income. Here, an 8-year old boy is seen shoveling coal.

Many scavengers bathe in public after a day's work at the mines..


Many scavengers bathe in public after a day's work at the mines.

While many laborers send money home to their families, many others spend money on alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. Here two drunk laborers are seen near a coal depot. .


While many laborers send money home to their families, many others spend money on alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. Here two drunk laborers are seen near a coal depot.

Alcoholism is a problem among the scavengers who often use it to cope with long hours and poor work conditions. One wine shop owner said he sells about 15,000 bottles a day..


Alcoholism is a problem among the scavengers who often use it to cope with long hours and poor work conditions. One wine shop owner said he sells about 15,000 bottles a day.

Many miners also gamble away their wages..


Many miners also gamble away their wages.

Entire communities have built up in and around these villages and they depend on scavenging for a livelihood..


Entire communities have built up in and around these villages and they depend on scavenging for a livelihood.

Workers warm themselves by a pile of burning coal..


Workers warm themselves by a pile of burning coal.

Trucks carry coal out of the villages, up unsafe slopes and deliver them to Assam in North East India or Bangladesh from where they are shipped to the rest of the country..


Trucks carry coal out of the villages, up unsafe slopes and deliver them to Assam in North East India or Bangladesh from where they are shipped to the rest of the country.

India's coal demand currently totals 700 million tonnes and is expected to reach 1 billion tonnes by 2017. The government needs to implement major reforms to curb illegal mining..


India's coal demand currently totals 700 million tonnes and is expected to reach 1 billion tonnes by 2017. The government needs to implement major reforms to curb illegal mining.


at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)