honorable mention
Erberto Zani italy
title
Blackworld - Coal in Jharkhand (India)
The world is black in Jharkhand, northeastern India. The entire area around the cities of Dhanbad, Jharia and Catras is full of coking coal, a treasure for the Indian economy (two thirds of all electricity in India is generated from this coal). Black dust and gasses shoot up from the ground: methane, carbon monoxide are in the air and many of the people who live and work in the region suffer for letal respiratory problems. Bokahapadi is a small village inside the coal area. The only economic activity is mining for one of the seven big companies. Those villagers do not work, scavenge coal illegally every day for survive: early in the morning, before the activity of miners start, they take small pieces of coal and loading into wicker baskets for sell at black market. In Bokahapadi area there are very few old people and many children and teens: people die young . But without a real job, these families don't have others chances.
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entry description
BLACKWORLDThe world is black in Jharkhand, northeastern India. The entire area around the cities of Dhanbad, Jharia and Catras is full of coking coal, a treasure for the Indian economy (two thirds of all electricity in India is generated from this coal). Black dust and gasses shoot up from the ground: methane, carbon monoxide are in the air and many of the people who live and work in the region suffer for letal respiratory problems. Bokahapadi is a small village inside the coal area. The only economic activity is mining for one of the seven big companies. Those villagers do not work, scavenge coal illegally every day for survive: early in the morning, before the activity of miners start, they take small pieces of coal and loading into wicker baskets for sell at black market. In Bokahapadi area there are very few old people and many children and teens: people die young . But without a real job, these families don't have others chances.
about the photographer
Erberto Zani (1978) is a photographer and journalist freelance based in Italy. Freelance since 2008, his works include reportage on war for minerals in North Kivu (D.R.Congo), earthquake's effect in Haiti, landmines in Cambodia, water crises in Burkina Faso, Somali refugee in Nepal, daily life inside the favelas of Medellin, Hindu festival of Maha Kumbh Mela (India). Since 2011 he's a member of AIRF, Italian Press - Photographers Association.back to gallery