Jharia under fire

 

Jharia: A Community Living on the Edge (#JhariaBurning)

Jharia, a bustling suburb in the Dhanbad district of Jharkhand, India, faces a unique and harrowing challenge – an underground coal fire that has been burning for over a century. This persistent inferno, fueled by millions of tons of coal, has cast a long shadow over the lives of its residents.

Living with a Fiery Underbelly

Smoke and embers rise from the earth, a constant reminder of the unseen flames below. The air is thick with toxic fumes, and the ground itself becomes treacherous, prone to sinking and cracking. Homes and roads have succumbed to this fiery menace, tragically claiming lives.

A Century of Struggle

The fires date back to 1916, predating nationalization in 1971. While efforts have been made to extinguish them, the flames stubbornly persist. Some progress has been achieved, with a reduction in the fire-affected area from 2017 to 2020. However, the fight is far from over.

A Reluctant Exodus

The state government has attempted to relocate residents to a safer area, but many are hesitant to leave their homes. Lack of basic amenities like water, sanitation, and employment opportunities in the new location make the decision a difficult one.

A Peculiar Draw

Jharia's fiery reality has become a reluctant tourist attraction. People from afar, particularly researchers, journalists, and social workers, visit to witness this unique and challenging way of life. Social activist Pinaki Roy describes the hardships faced by residents in areas like Indira Chowk, Boka Pahari, Rajapur, Bhagatdidh, Dhanu dih, and Lodna.

A Call to Action

The story of Jharia is a stark reminder of the environmental and human cost of unchecked resource extraction. Continued efforts are needed to extinguish the fires, improve living conditions for residents, and offer sustainable solutions for their future. As per Mr. Pinaki Roy the under fires of Jharia has improved a lot then before now.

Picture details—

1.     Road caved in due to under fire

2.     Scene of Jharia under fire,

3.     Villager standing over the under fire land.

Text and Photos by Ashok Karan,

 Ashokkaran.blogspot.com