"Wasteland" (by Poul Madsen)

On the outskirts of Kujama village. A couple collect pieces of coal next the ruins of a former village house. The area here is extremely dangerous to walk in as fire is burning right underneath the surface.

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:45:42 +0000

On the outskirts of Kujama village. A couple collect pieces of coal next the ruins of a former village house. The area here is extremely dangerous to walk in as fire is burning right underneath the surface.
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A young mother and her son at work in a former open pit mine close the village of Bokahapadi. The mine companies discharge huge truckloads of bad quality coking coal here on a daily basis and locals flock to the crater each time a fresh load arrives. The best pieces of coal are brought to nearby markets and then sold for very little money.

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:47:07 +0000

A young mother and her son at work in a former open pit mine close the village of Bokahapadi. The mine companies discharge huge truckloads of bad quality coking coal here on a daily basis and locals flock to the crater each time a fresh load arrives. The best pieces of coal are brought to nearby markets and then sold for very little money.
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En elderly and severely undernourished man on his way back to Kujama village after having defecated in the open on a burning field. Smoke is evident everywhere around this area and the ground is glowing hot. A smell of rotten eggs is hanging like an impenetrable fog and is causing severe breathing problems amongst the locals. The average life expectancy is very low here.

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:48:29 +0000

En elderly and severely undernourished man on his way back to Kujama village after having defecated in the open on a burning field. Smoke is evident everywhere around this area and the ground is glowing hot. A smell of rotten eggs is hanging like an impenetrable fog and is causing severe breathing problems amongst the locals. The average life expectancy is very low here.
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A couple in a bunch of ruins that they call home in Kujama village. The day temperature in this area reaches 30-35 degrees in March, right before the Indian summer kicks in. The house itself is situated right on top of burning coal and as a result the floor in this family's house is cracked and uneaven in many places. In fact the ground is so hot here that the locals cook their food right on it indside their houses. It is very dangerous to live here as the ground is capable of caving in without warning.

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:49:24 +0000

A couple in a bunch of ruins that they call home in Kujama village. The day temperature in this area reaches 30-35 degrees in March, right before the Indian summer kicks in. The house itself is situated right on top of burning coal and as a result the floor in this family's house is cracked and uneaven in many places. In fact the ground is so hot here that the locals cook their food right on it indside their houses. It is very dangerous to live here as the ground is capable of caving in without warning.
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A young girl waking up in the early morning right on the edge of a field exposed to underground coal fires. Some locals choose to sleep outside as it can be too dangerous to sleep in houses that have cracked walls and ceilings.

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:50:20 +0000

A young girl waking up in the early morning right on the edge of a field exposed to underground coal fires. Some locals choose to sleep outside as it can be too dangerous to sleep in houses that have cracked walls and ceilings.
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Locals burn the coal once it has been collected before they bring it to near by markets. The burning removes a lot of the toxic smoke and makes the coal more suitable for use in cooking. In the background a young boy is standing with his toy - a bicycle tire. Most of the children in Jharia do not attend school. Instead they help out their families collecting coal. Child labour is illegal by law in India but millions of children still work in dangerous businesses every single day. Most childen here have bleak futures ahead of them.

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:51:04 +0000

Locals burn the coal once it has been collected before they bring it to near by markets. The burning removes a lot of the toxic smoke and makes the coal more suitable for use in cooking. In the background a young boy is standing with his toy - a bicycle tire. Most of the children in Jharia do not attend school. Instead they help out their families collecting coal. Child labour is illegal by law in India but millions of children still work in dangerous businesses every single day. Most childen here have bleak futures ahead of them.
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Men on their way to work in a local mine owned by the large Bharat Coking Coal Ltd. This mine operates 24hrs a day and it provides electriicty - along with other mines in the area - to some of the biggest cities in India. The country is developing at rapid pace and is very likely to play a dominant role in an upcoming global economy. India's biggest problem however is a population out of control, lack of rural development, pollution and a huge lower class without any rights or education. India's success and current economy is fueled by these hard working and extremely poor people that have no future prospects ahead of them.

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:51:49 +0000

Men on their way to work in a local mine owned by the large Bharat Coking Coal Ltd. This mine operates 24hrs a day and it provides electriicty - along with other mines in the area - to some of the biggest cities in India. The country is developing at rapid pace and is very likely to play a dominant role in an upcoming global economy. India's biggest problem however is a population out of control, lack of rural development, pollution and a huge lower class without any rights or education. India's success and current economy is fueled by these hard working and extremely poor people that have no future prospects ahead of them.
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A man looking down on a mountain of coal waste piled up in a former open cast mine. His work is right in front of him. And if he is lucky he might be able to earn himself as much as half dollar a day.

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:52:31 +0000

A man looking down on a mountain of coal waste piled up in a former open cast mine. His work is right in front of him. And if he is lucky he might be able to earn himself as much as half dollar a day.
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