Burning land

• Prize
  Bronze in Photojournalism/General News, Silver in Book Proposal (Series Only)/Documentary
• Photographer
  Dimitris Gavalas, Greece
• Website
  http://dimitrisgavalasphotography.ning.com/

India accounts for the world's greatest concentration of coal mines. Jharkhand region in the northeast India is one of the most important coal mine areas in Asia. Thousands of poor, mostly unskilled, migrants from neighbouring states have settled in Jharia over the years.

Numerous villages are situated next to coal mines. Most of residents collect coal illegally and they earn about 0.60 euros per day. Due to gasses coming from underground fires and dust, the majority of people face breathing and eye problems.