Jharkhand Coal Mining Angara Tribal Displacement Livelihood

The Jharia coalfield in Dhanbad district and the Ranchi plateau contain one of the world largest coal reserves, but the resource has brought displacement of Adivasi communities, particularly Munda, Oraon, and Santhal groups. Over 1.5 million tribals in Jharkhand have been displaced by mines, dams, and industrial projects since independence without adequate resettlement. Community cooperative forest rights groups under the Forest Rights Act (2006) now exercise rights over community forests in Angara, Lohardaga, and Simdega blocks, providing alternative livelihoods through sal leaf plate making, forest honey, and mahua collection. Tribal rights cooperatives under PRADAN and JSLPS mobilise women savings groups for income diversification beyond subsistence agriculture.