ENTRY DESCRIPTION
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.

AUTHOR
Erberto Zani is an Italian photographer and journalist freelance, based between Parma (Italy) and Basel (Switzerland). Since 1998 until 2004 he worked as photographer in advertisement sector. After some years as journalist for a local newspaper, becomes independent since 2008. Most of his works are focused on human rights issues.

Books published:
Vado, vedo, racconto (ed. Il mio libro, 2022), Urban Visions (ed. Blurb, 2021), Elemental Fashion (ed. Blurb, 2019), Exodus (ed. Blurb, 2018), Kied Pologo (ed. Stamperia, 2017), Aftermath (ed. Stamperia, 2016), Black World (ed. Stamperia, 2015), Maha Kumbh Mela (ed. Stamperia, 2014), Tsiry (ed. Stamperia, 2014), Babanagar-Colombia (ed. Stamperia, 2013), Sahel (ed. Stamperia, 2012), Hope (ed. Stamperia, 2011), Haiti, fragments (ed. Stamperia, 2010), Drops of Life (ed. Stamperia, 2010), Da Borgo San Donnino al Passo della Cisa (ed. Publiprint, 2006).

back to gallery