Watch in pics: Jharia coalfields on fire for last 98 years

New Delhi: In the small dusty town of Jharia, famous for its coal mines, underground fire has been burning for almost a century.Jharia is an important site for coal mining in India and is the backbone of India's power generation. The efforts to put out the fire have been in vain. This underground fire has created havoc for the people residing in the area.The heavy fumes from the fire have caused breathing diseases to the local population.Till now, the government has not taken any steps to tackle the grave situation. Let us explore the Jharia coal mines in pictures: 1. The first fire was detected in 1916. As per records it was the Khas Jharia mines of Seth Khora Ramji Chawda, who was a pioneer of Indian coalmines, whose mines were one of the firsts to capsize in underground fire in 1938. 2. In 1972, more than 70 mine fires were reported in this region. 3. The fires are burning underground and release heavy black fumes that are dangerous to human health. 4. Nearly 4, 000, 00 people reside in the area and tolerate the nauseating air from the coal mines. 5. The fire has also caused damage to the environment. The vegetation has been almost destroyed. Once lush greens leaves have now turned to dry stubs. 6. The poisonous fumes have caused high temperature of the place and lead to poor air quality.It has caused health problems for the locals. 7. It is most difficult for the mine workers to work in the coal fields. They have to sacrifice their safety to earn livelihood. 8. More than 60 percent of the population is suffering from diseases due to the dangerous pollutants in the air. 9. The authorities have announced a rehabilitation project after media highlighted the issue. 10. For rehabilitation, authorities have told slum dwellers in the Kujama slum to vacate the area but they could not do so as they are too poor.