Jaria, The land of coal fire. 2010

Jharia is a small town located on one of the most expansive coal belts in India. Since the discovery of coal and the proliferation of mining in this region many villagers, having lived for generations in the area, have been forced to evacuate their homes leaving their heritage behind them. Those remaining are left forced to make a living from the sale of coke, which is made by burning the coal illegally collected by villagers from the corporately owned mines and land. The rapid growth of the Indian economy, which is dependent upon the consumption of the western world, accelerates mining operations and pushes more and more people away from their homes. The lives of people we’ve never even seen go up in smoke – literally – at the coal covered hands of mass consumption. Their production enables our consumption, which ultimately results in their subsequent destruction.