Important for India´s booming economy, the Jharia coalfield in Jharkhand is the largest in India, spanning an area of 450 square kilometres. Mining activity started there a century ago, bringing with it the region's devastating cola seam fires. Around 70 coalfield fires smoulder both above the ground and at subterranean level. The fires spread at a rapid rate every month, releasing smoke through fissures and cracks, causing pollution of air, water and land. Along with particulate matter, the smoke also causes several lung and other severe health diseases for the local population. The fires pollute the land and do not allow any vegetation to grow in the area. Around 400000 people live above the ground with the fires burning beneath and around them and the ground sinking in, causing houses to crack and collapse, and people lose their lives. Illegally collecting coal, popularly known as "Black Diamond", and converting it into coke is the only viable livelihood for the impoverished population living in the region. There are plans for relocation of villagers to a new re-housing area at a safe distance from the toxic fumes, but most will resist because picking illegal coal is the only way to survive.
