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19th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Children of coal miners waiting for parents to return from mining work

Bhowra is located in  Dhanbad district of Jharkhand state, India. Bhowra is a prime name in the coal mining map of India. My visit to this open cast coal mine gave me a feel that how otherworldly this open caste coal mines are. Coal is abundantly available everywhere in this Eastern Jharia open caste mines and mine extension is happening continuously by encroaching lands where human inhibits. People have been settled in the place since long although this is government land and I witnessed how extreme is the life on brink where human is trying to settle literally on a mine. Underground coal fire is burning in this region for a century and thus causing hazardous gas emission from almost every where  in the human settlement area. Fumes, road cracks, house wall cracks and land slides can be seen everywhere. I can't understand how can people survive over there. While government is working to rehabilitate these inhabitants but they are not satisfied with this alternate measure which is not acceptable as per them and are clinching to the deadly place. The situation is apocalyptic and it feels like you are witnessing end of the world. Blasting used to take place in the mine below and almost every time some house falls due to vibration. Incidents like falling down the crack upon stepping on loose earth and getting scorched by underground coal fire is common here but till children plays around the peril and people try to resettle down with what hope that I don't know. These people need serious help and I hope my work can draw some attention.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 12.2020
Date Uploaded: 07.2021
Photo Location: Bhowra, Jharkhand, India, India
Camera: NIKON D810
Copyright: © Vivek Sen