Burning Jharia coal fields on 5D Mark II

May 9, 2009

For almost a century Jharia coal fields have been on fire in the Indian state of Jharkhand, due to poor mining techniques.

Many of the people who live on the burning fields survive by collecting coal illegally. The coal is burned and then transported to nearby markets for very little money.

A resettlement plan has been put in place, but the area’s residents are reluctant to move to safer grounds because the coal earns them their livelihood…

This story has been shot entirely with the Canon 5D Mark II by Poul Madsen and Brent Foster from Bombay Flying Club – bombayfc.com

Journalist: Line Wolf Nielsen