A STUDY ON JHARIA COAL MINE FIRES AND HEALTH EXTERNALITIES: THE MISERABLE CONDITION OF INHABITANTS

Abstract

The present study is based on the health externalities of the people living near Jharia Coal Field (JCF) due to coal mine fire burning for centuries. The study also emphasizes on the economic valuation of the health impact of the colonials near Jharia Coal Fields. The data of a total of 60 households have been collected from four villages near coal fields and a total of 30 households have been collected from two controlled (non-mining) areas. The cost of Illness approach has been used to analyze the health impact. After field observations, discussions with the villagers, Doctor interviews, and evidence from various official reports and articles it was found that due to coal mine fire and emissions from toxic gases the atmosphere of the Jharia coal field has become highly polluted. The local people of Jharia coal fields are suffering from various air and water-borne diseases and spending a large portion of their income on the treatment of these diseases as compared to the controlled (non-mining) villages. Considering the need of urgent implementation of the sustainable pattern of development has now become crucial to act and not react to such issues because climate change is no more an illusion but a reality and the brunt of it is being witnessed throughout the globe. So, this problem is no more area specific problem but it is also a part of global stress.