Chapter No.

01

INTRODUCTION

The Socioeconomic Impact of Thar Coal Project on People of Islamkot District

Tharparker, Sindh.

The people of Thar (Thari people) are living from centuries and the culture of
Thar is very rich, and they have their own culture values, social norms and
tradition. After the discovery of coal, the life and culture of the people of
Tharparkar show threat. The culture of Thari people faces danger and changes
in it. And the people who are not aware of the culture norms and its values
looking for the threat in future. The people and all villages of the Tharparkar are
evacuating from one place to another due to the coal discovery.

In 1987, under the government of Muhammad khan Junejo the project of water
extraction in the village Nanger road Khario Ghulam Shah, had started and the
main purpose of this was to find the water for villagers and provide sufficient
water for use. This was held by Sazda organization and during this, they came
to know about the black matter in the excavation process and send it for lab
testing and in this way the discovery of coal discovered into the map of Thar
region of Tharparkar.

In the afterwards periods, in the 90s The geological survey of Pakistan had
visited the site of coal and decided to work on this, and this survey brought a
happier moments and lets the area in the happy breeze because a few years ago
a village nearby had an oil discovery that let the people happier and a kind of
ecstasy in the village people. In 1995, Benazir Bhutto visited our village along
with the persons from Hang Kong Company for the extraction purpose and that
project of coal mining was given to the foreign company but after the Nawaz
sharif's government, it was stopped due to political interests.

In 2001, Musharraf's government started taking interest in the coal mining

project and again work starts under the guidance of foreign companies, some
from China and some other foreign companies.

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Thar coal project consists of thirteen blocks and the work has started on block
number-2 that is laying on village named Seari, some kilometers away from
Islamkot city.

Actually Islamkot or "Islam kot" is a town in the Tharparkar District in Sindh

(Pakistan). Civil aviation Authority of Pakistan is building an international
airport in Islamkot. The discovery of largest reservoirs of coal in Islamkot town
is more helpful and beneficent for Pakistan's energy and economic corridor. But
it also impacts on the culture of Thar and Human's socio-economic lives, which
shows very much deprived to human behavior.

The discovery is discussing in human culture, the people of the region are
showing cultural shock to see the new and advanced thing in Thar
underdeveloped areas.

Fig.1.1 Block number -2 village Seari

Tharparkar district consists of four talukas. These are Chachro, Diplo, Mithi,
and Nagarparkar. The Nagarparkar taluka, in turn, consists of six union councils
(UCs). These are Nagarparkar, Virawah, Pithapur, Pilu, Sathiidera, and Tigusar.
Maps of Tharparkar district and Nagarparkar taluka are given as Map No. 01 in
Volume Two. The total area of the Nagarparkar taluka is 3862 square
kilometers and its population today (extrapolated from the 1998 Census is

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153.106). There is no settlements classification of urban by the census reports in
the Nagarparkar Taluka. However, it has given the existing population growth
figures and the fact is that it is the Taluka headquarter, Nagarparkar town, can
be considered urban and is mentioned as such in this report. Its population and
demographic details (along with those of Kasbo, Virawah, Churio and Adhigam
villages along with extrapolations to the year 2020) are given in tables 2 – 6 in
Appendix 4. Statistics regarding the Taluka as a whole are given in Table 1 in
Appendix 4. (Hasan.2009:p3)

The people of Thar are emotionally attached to the region where they live and
they do not want to go elsewhere. The discovery of a large reservoir of coal has
changed their lives. The word Thar is derived from "Sanskrit" Language which
means Desert areas. High Sand dunes Everywhere and no much water is
available there a place where there is a very low ratio of trees found in dry
season. The famous poet Sheikh Ayaz also described the Thar in very beautiful
way. And the Marvi also motivated the history of Thar and his culture. Now the
problematic situation is that the state had bought their lands at the low price and
also gives the assurance to make a change in their facilities by constructing
roads, hospital facilities, better education etc. Tharparker district is a barren
land. The season based cultivation and high sand dunes in summer's hot beams.
The climate is very different in summer the air very hot and in winter cool
breeze. Basically, the Thar is ecologically strong and the Mithi had been framed
by a woman. If we study the historical background of Mithi is the woman dug a
well and find sweet water that afterward named as Mithi (sweet town), and the
Islamkot has its own importance in between. The whole population of Thar is
completely dependent upon rain. If there is no raining, then they do not come
here in the urban side but local people adopt the way of belief knowledge with
the different perception of folk belief.

The Discovery of coalfield and the presence of carbonaceous material in the

cores obtained from exploratory drill holes for fresh water, Drilled by the Sindh
Arid Zone Development Authority (SAZDA) and the British Overseas
Development Administration (ODA) near village Khario Ghulam Shah in 1988,
inspired the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) and the United States
Geological Service (USGS)to carry out Thar Coalfield exploration and
demarcation under the Coal Resources Evaluation and Appraisal Programmed
(Coal REAP) of the USAID. The coalfield is located in the desert in the eastern

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part of Sindh Province of Pakistan, and it lies between latitude of 24o 30' N to
25o N and Longitude of 70o 30' E. The discovery shows estimated deposits of
over 175 billion tons has uplifted Pakistan's coal resources to more than 184
billion tones giving it seventh position in the list of 12 major coal producing
countries in the world. The Thar coalfield encompasses of about 9,100 sq. Km
with dimensions of 140 kilometers (N-S) and 65 km (E-W). It is spread over
Mithi, Chachro and Nagarparkar Talukas of Tharparkar district. (TRDP Report)

1.2 Statement of the Problem:-

There are so many issues of the local people, who are living here from many
times ago. The major problem is of their culture security and life span from the
starting of the coal project. They are so scared about their culture as well as
their health, the coal is impacting on the people of Tharparkar adversely and on
there, socio-economic issues, the work of mining is also causing serious health
hazards and spacious issues.

How the controversy creates between the people of Islamkot and Coal mining
project. In Tharparkar district the various communities is living in a poor sector
and also the labor class settles there, and the big tragedy with the people of
Islamkot is that there is no any kind of opportunity is remnant in Coal project
for the landholders and vicinity people of this area.

The Tharparkar is the largest desert terrain in Pakistan and is a home population
of 1.5 million. The Tharparkar deserts are not barren and dry if the proper and
timely raining is there, its flora flourishes during the monsoon season. (Engro
Web Wikipedia)

The Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company interaction with a local community
during its mining operation, hold a land acquisition and settlement-related
activities that will increase its people by building and developing sustainable
and independent livelihoods, providing Education and Healthcare housing to
them, improved the water and sanitation condition. These have pre-plan
observation and analysis of the project success. These types of projects and
budgets are not proved to be helping hand for local people in area and in the
same way they start false consciousness like in Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant in
Islamkot district, this plant produce more than Eleven thousand gallon of safe
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water and the whole ample amount seven thousand safe water is going for coal
project. (Engro Web Wikipedia)

In 1899, the Thar faced drought and a very low ratio of raining, but in this year
it has observed the largest drought in the history and still how people are talking
in Umerkot of 6% was raining. In 1967 and 1969, the heaviest rain was
recorded, and due to this many animals were died, the katcha houses and
placement was also destroying. (Engro Web Wikipedia)

The geographer said, Thar Desert is under the water on time and slowly and
gradually the water ratio is decreasing and also it was saying the area of East are
upper than West, and there are so many types of vegetables are present and
sown in this area such as aubergine, Spanish, lady finger, Radish etc. (Richan
1988).

This was important because the ecological and environmental impact of mining
activities is a recurrent argument against the development of Thar Coal. (Shaikh
2016)

1.3 Objectives:-

To explore the culture of the people of Islamkot with an ethnographic

perspective

To see the social impact of Thar coal project on the lives of people of
Islamkot

To observe the economic and financial impacts of Thar coal project onto
the people living in Islamkot

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1.4 Theoretical Framework:-

Political ecology analyses social forms and human organization that interacts
with the environment. This burgeoning field has attracted scholars from the
field of Anthropology, forestry, development studies, environmental sociology,
environmental history, and geography. Political ecology attempts to provide
critiques as well as alternatives in the interplay of the environment and political,
economic and social factor. (Robbins 2005)

According to my theoretical Framework, the interpret in culture and

environment of the Thar with the brief discussion on purpose of socioeconomic
liability of the state and the state should have responsible for supporting the
regional people and ecological factor, and for this the people of Thar are very
happy to see the deployment organization are working for the future of the state
and its development. They have no any right to the people of Thar and to their
socioeconomic and political perspective of the state.

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1.5 Significance of the Study:-

There are many cultures in the world and each of them has its own importance
and none of them is inferior or superior to the other.

The culture of Thar is very much rich in terms of including moral values, ritual,
customs, and tradition. Thari people are also famous for their hospitality.

My basic research purpose is focusing on the discovery of Thar coal project,

means how the Thar coal project impacted on the people of Islamkot and their-
their lives? And how it is disturbing like in a socially and economically
paradigms.

I desire to explore the importance of the culture of Thar based on my research

work, and I had brought the strong knowledge about the culture throughout the
world, and I have a strong meaning full and handsome knowledge regarding the
community with its related issues.

1.6 Data Collection Techniques:-

To achieve the purposes of the study, both primary and secondary sources were
used. First of all, it has the review of all available literature was undertaken and
examined, which were based on published and unpublished materials including
government census reports, articles, research papers, thesis as sources of
information for the study and collection process. A systematic review of the
electronic database references was also undertaken. Data was also collected
from census carried out by Bureau of Statistics from 1951 to 1998. (Rajar et al.
2007, P.109).

1.7 Importance of the Research Field Work:-

World largest coal discovery in Tharparkar, Sindh Pakistan. But the world has
taken a very serious about coal and they are looking on every part of field areas.
And if they able to excavate for coal then it is a notable and either it damages or
our environment has impacted, then they must take a report and solve it. I find
the issues and problematic lives of people of Tharparkar.

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Research is important both in scientific and non-scientific fields. In our life,
new problems, events, phenomena, and processes occur on every day.
Practically, implementable solutions and suggestions are required for tackling
new problems that arise. Scientists have searched to undertake on them and find
their causes, solutions, explanations, and applications. Precisely, research assists
us to understand nature and natural phenomena.

A research problem refers to a difficulty which a researcher or a scientific

community or an industry or a government organization or a society experience
and faces.

1.8 Research Methodology:-

Research methods are essentially planned, scientific and value-neutral. They

include theoretical procedures, experimental studies, numerical schemes, and
it's a quantitative method and Statistical approaches, etc. Research methods
help us to collect samples, data and find a solution to a particular problem.
Particularly, scientific research methods call for explanations based on collected
facts, measurements, and observations, and not solo on reasoning. Those
problems a researcher thinks and finds a way and moves for assembling good
data, it means, finding the way and blueprint it to find the explanation.

Research methodology is a systematic way to solve a problem. It is a science of

studying how research is to be carried out. Essentially, the procedures by which
researchers do perform on their work of describing, explaining and predicting
phenomena is called research methodology. It is also defined as the study of
methods by which knowledge is gained. Mainly, the aim is to give the work
plan of research.

1.8.1 Consent:-

Before we move forward and apply in a community as a research methodology

tool, using the consent permission methodology, on the behalf of the
community ethics, morals, norms believe of people and also get permission to
individual people while taking interviews or photos for research. It is very much
important to acknowledge the confront by asking and seeking permission for
taking interviews.

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Discovery of coal is a state project and it is the bit difficult to collect
information because it all relates to the government sector and based on hidden
and masked papers. It is basic and foremost necessary for a researcher to
consent permission letter by a state level personae work and research in a legal
way by issuing legal authority letter.

1.8.2 Key Informant:

Fig .1.2 key informant Islamkot city

They key informant is helpful in any place or a local mutual person who knows
the people of most of the areas and much familiar about them or well known
about the area of my study and also knows, to whom I met with that help me or
give the answers of my research-based questions.

Basically, it was needed to aware each and every single person of coalfield
areas, but in contrast, everyone knows regarding news of coal but decided to
select key informant that has strong relation with the village and strong
approach to them.

By the help of the key informant, it wasn't the much difficult task to enter in an
unknown community and to stay and to sit beside them. He works as a
witnessed consent like your relatives or your good friend or friend relatives and
this is what that area reflects its significance by showing the hospitality and
response of their poor but rich in responsible people.

1.8.3 Rapport Building:-

Rapport building is simply an access to enter into a new community in an

unknown place and acquire help through key informant to get enter into view
areas of a research study, the reputation buildup in a society or in a community
when a researcher gives a good time to the confront people of any community.
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If shows more rapport build potent than people believe and love to listen to you
and inform you feel like a family member and they share each and everything
with you.

A good researcher makes a good relation with people, that they also well known
about the researcher and ready to share the ideas and problems of a community.

1.8.4 Participant observation:-

The methodology of participant observation is appropriate for a wide range of

scholarly problems pertinent to human existence. It focuses on human
interaction and meaning viewed from the insider's viewpoint in everyday life
situations and settings. (Jorgensen: 1989, p 23)

The participant observation is a major tool in the field of Anthropology, mostly

Anthropologist without any hesitation lives in between human beings and
follows their rules and inspires the community. What type of education were
there, I don't mean education of words or everyone wants acquisition of
education and to study the books, but this means that they have better
techniques that we do not like the people of Thar admirable and so much too
aware of the climate and give them information about upcoming weather like

Rain, like water. So there are all, we know only the participant observation, just
like your family member.

According to research, it is very much helpful for any researcher that he remains
strong and strong rapport build.

1.8.5 Focus Group Discussion:-

According to Ivan off & Hultberg, The focus group method is rather different
from group interviews, since group interactions are treated explicitly as
‘research data' (Ivan off & Hultberg 2006: p125).

It's the technique of the research that the cast of the interview from the
interviewer, from 6-10 people you group discussed any kind of the topic and get
more help and informative ideas accordance to research and its basic important
is that many people sat together then it would be easy to find out the answer or
telling any story for suppose, one forgets some points then automatically
another person connects and keep telling the accurate figure. The same gender
gives the data in focus group discussion.

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 Fig.1.3 Focus group Discussion with villagers

1.8.6 In-Depth Interviews:-

. A method of collecting the data informally way, I had conducted in-depth

unstructured formal interviews applying "emic" approach community
knowledge, I shared my arguments about Thar people and simply got their
opinions and paradigms. It's very different and difficult methodology, used in
research.

In this method, need to already prepare the questions to ask when to interact and
it takes time to analysis the problem of villagers.

1.8.7 Informal Interviews:-

A method of collecting the data here, of this type, is very much

different and having no diary and other tools of Research here it just only
observational way of collecting data with lack of time you should have to
take informal data and it doesn't take time to ask the question and analysis the
data or problems of villagers.

Most of the people were talking to one another everywhere and keep
gossiping because the coal discovery is amazing and perplexing news for the
sand dune and for villagers.

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1.8.8 Photography:-

Fig. number 1.4 captures the greenery during research.

Photo elicitation is based on the simple idea of inserting a photo into a research
interview. The difference between interviews using image and text, and
interviews using words only lies in the ways and how to respond these two
forms of symbolic representation. (Harper, 2002, p1)

The photograph is one type of document that is more helpful in research, it

gives clarity of the data collection and strong evidence of making a strong
research paper.

When you applied your research and eligible or legally in a sense that you have
permission to write to any community as well as capture the photos.

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Research it's so important for our excellent work performance, a photograph is
one tool of research that assures about your work performance and type your
identity or proof that you have done this particular task. The photography also
used to any kind of documentary. Or it also shows and captures the moments
and help to see each and every moment of activity related to their culture and
their people's behavior as in the same way as of coal discovery and a there
mechanism is showed by photography and through documentaries.

1.8.9 Jotting:

Jotting is very important in the research field if you discuss to any community
person and asks the person with related to your topic and you haven't any
notebook then it is difficult to save the data in your mind or not easy to catch
everything without jotting.

Jotting is so much helpful for you to complete each and every little thing that
relates to your field or topic. Jotting is a brief note taking dairy that helps you
just like your locker can just open it and save the words and close it. It is a type
of memory, every researcher do this!

This technique helps you if you study the remote areas that are a very low ratio
of literacy just like in Thar and you just discuss the issue of person that belongs
to any particular community and your are going without jotting it down then it
personae bad and people feel tired and taking no interest. If you are jotting then
people prefers and must respond you because you are jotting down their issues.

1.9.1 Daily Diary:-

The daily diary makes you easy and comfortable then record it on one-day data
from any person and researcher if not using dairy and jotting function then it
creates peer pressure on to the researcher's head so the use of daily diary is the
good hobby.

The data we acquisition from any community's person that we write in our
rough notebook never copy this then it also same as of jotting no much
difference. Might be the diary of rough work is misplace or snatch, it happens
before you write it in a daily diary. That could be safe research work and bravo
one.

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1.9.2 Questionnaire:-

The questionnaire is better to research techniques which help you for primary
data collection on Thar coal impact on people's life. During accumulating
ground data, apply few steps of questions asking that help me on research work.

1.9.3 Socio-Economic mapping:-

The areas of research are based on to draw the mapping methodological of areas
of research, in Islamkot town, Tharparkar district, and it is more than hundred
kilometers away from the Umerkot city and from the Thar coal project at a few
kilometers of distance away from the Islamkot town and is not much difficult to
draw the wall of map. The map is my objective studies in that, it helps in those
areas of Islamkot that were impacted by coal and their impact and effects on the
socioeconomic life.

1.9.4 Audio Recording:-

The audio recorder is an electronic device which helps to record the sound
mainly answers of the questions. And it also helps during research work if you
miss in note taking then a recorder will help you, otherwise this device is more
useful in informal interviews.

If you face difficulty in writing something then it's the best method in a research
field.

1.9.5 Case Study:-

The case study method is a specific research method. Field studies

investigations of phenomena as they occur without any significant intervention
of the investigators. Becker (1970) explains that case study refers to a detailed
analysis of an individual case supposing that "one can properly acquire
knowledge of the phenomena from intensive exploration of a single case".
(p.75) (Fidel: 1984)

The case study is the study of any particular places, friend, Classroom, book etc.
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The more time to spend to know the case, good the results will be, the case
study helps to understand the basic knowledge and documentary report etc.

A case study of a village "Ghoranro" that is 32 kilometers away from the

Islamkot town and a settlement of seven hundred houses was there and an
amazing thing is that the village “Ghoranro” is not the part of coal field but it is
facing the problem of "Dam" and water reservoir.

Fig no: 1.4 plain Area of Village “Ghoranro”

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 CHAPTER NO. 2

LITERATURE REVIEW:

The literature review helps you in research and methodology or guide for you that someone
has already done it a nice performance that may help other researcher convey to next
assignment is your research topic.

There are many scholar and author they describe that Thar with related lifestyle
behavior, rituals, animals, Food and climate if you see the Thar or visit the Thar surely the
people heart touching historical stories with the delicious food pattern and the most beautiful
thing which is Hospitality that I saw in every heart of Thar they lived since the centuries.

"The Coalfield of Discovery the presence of carbonaceous material in the cores as obtained
from exploratory drill holes for fresh water, Drilled by the Sindh Arid Zone Development
Authority (SAZDA) and the British Overseas Development Administration (ODA) near
village Khario Ghulam Shah in 1988, inspired the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) and
the United States Geological Service (USGS)to carry out Thar Coalfield exploration and
demarcation under the Coal Resources Evaluation and Appraisal Programmed (Coal REAP)
of the USAID. The coalfield is located in the desert in the eastern part of Sindh Province of
Pakistan, and it lies between latitude 24o 30' N to 25o N and Longitude 70o 30' E. This
discovery of estimated deposits of over 175 billion tons has uplifted Pakistan's coal resources
to more than 184 billion tones giving it seventh position in the list of 12 malor coal producing
countries of the world. The Thar coalfield encompasses about 9,100 sq. km2 with dimensions
of 140 kilometers (N-S) and 65 km (E-W). It is spread over Mithi, Chachro and Nagarparkar
Talukas of Tharparkar district". (TRDP Rapport, n.d)

"The Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company interaction with a local community during its
mining, land acquisition, and resettlement-related activities will increase as its people by
building and developing sustainable and independent livelihoods, providing Education and
Healthcare housing, improved the water and sanitation condition, these are preplanning
observation from the project succeed. These types of project and budget not a helping hand of

16 | P a g e
local people, in the same way, they start the false consciousness like in Reverse Osmosis
(RO) plant in Islamkot district, this plant produces more than Eleven thousand gallon of save
water and seven thousand save water gone for coal project". (Engro Web Wikipedia, n.d)

"In 1899 the Thar faced drought very low ratio of raining but in this year largest drought in
Thar history and still how people are talking now in Umerkot 6% was raining. In 1967 and
1969 the strongest raining, on the behalf of many animals were die, the mud places was
destroying". (Engro Web Wikipedia, n.d)

"The geographic said the Thar Desert is under the water on time and slowly and gradually
water ratio are removed and also saying the area of East are upper than West, and there are so
many types of vegetables are present such as Aubergine, Spanish, lady finger, Radish etc".
(Richan1988)

"This was important because the ecological and environment impact of mining activities is a
recurrent argument against the development of Thar Coal". (Shaikh 2016)

How the data collecting in research method and data collecting techniques which are very
helpful for a new researcher.

"To achieve the purposes of the study both primary and secondary sources were used. First of
all review of available literature was undertaken, which were based on published and
unpublished materials including government census reports, articles, research papers, thesis
as sources of information for the study. A systematic review of the electronic database
references was also undertaken. Data were also collected from census carried out by Bureau
of Statistics from 1951 to 1998". (Rajar et al. 2007, P.109).

"In additional to its pivotal role as an affordable source of electricity, coal can also be
converted into liquid fuels – gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel – as well as into an alternative to
liquid natural gas (LNG) for use in synthetic and industrial gasses. South Africa currently
produces much of its liquid fuel from coal, using a process pioneered and used by Germany
prior to World War II. China has built two coal-to-gas plants in the Northwestern part of the
country, piping the synthetic gas to its populated cities in order to reduce smog and has
announced plans for dozens of coal gasification plants across Inner Mongolia and Shanxi and
Xinjiang Provinces. Many nations, including our own, are exploring methods by which coal

17 | P a g e
can be utilized in newer and cleaner forms. Coal can also be converted into a stable and
inexpensive heat source for the production of ethanol. Despite its many uses, coal
consumption and generation in the United States is declining as low-cost natural gas is
capturing some of its generation markets and as the Environmental Protection Agency
implements onerous regulations (e.g. Mercury and Air Toxics Standard, Clean Power Plan)
that decrease coal use. President Obama's War on Coal has resulted in coal-fired plant
retirements, the loss of thousands of jobs in the coal industry, and many coal companies filing
for bankruptcy protection". (Institute of Energy and Research)

There are many scholar and author they describe that Thar and related lifestyle, behavior,
rituals, animals, Food and climate if you see the Thar or visit the Thar surely the people heart
touching historical stories with the delicious food pattern and the most beautiful thing which
is Hospitality that I saw in every heart of Thar they lived since the centuries.

"The Coalfield of Discovery the presence of carbonaceous material in the cores as obtained
from exploratory drill holes for fresh water, Drilled by the Sindh Arid Zone Development
Authority (SAZDA) and the British Overseas Development Administration (ODA) near
village Khario Ghulam Shah in 1988, inspired the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) and
the United States Geological Service (USGS)to carryout Thar Coalfield exploration and
demarcation under the Coal Resources Evaluation and Appraisal Programmed (Coal REAP)
of the USAID. The coalfield is located in the desert in the eastern part of Sindh Province of
Pakistan, and it lies between latitude 24o 30' N to 25o N and Longitude 70o 30' E. This
discovery of estimated deposits of over 175 billion tons has uplifted Pakistan's coal resources
to more than 184 billion tones giving it seventh position in the list of 12 molar coal producing
countries of the world. The Thar coalfield encompasses about 9,100 sq. km2 with dimensions
of 140 kilometers (N-S) and 65 km (E-W). It is spread over Mithi, Chachro and Nagarparkar
Talukas of Tharparkar district". (TRDP Rapport, n.d)

"The Tharparkar is the largest desert terrain in Pakistan is the home population of 1.5 million.
The Tharparkar deserts are not barren and dry, its flora flourishes during the monsoon
season". (Engro Web Wikipedia, n.d)

"In 1899 the Thar faced drought very low ratio of raining but in this year largest drought in
Thar history and still how people are talking now in Umerkot 6% was raining. In 1967 and

18 | P a g e
1969 the strongest raining, on the behalf of many animals were die, the mud places was
destroying". (Engro Web Wikipedia, n.d)

"Political ecology analyses social forms and human organization that interact with the
environment. This burgeoning field has attracted scholars from the field of Anthropology,
forestry, development studies, environmental sociology, environmental history, and
geography. Political ecology attempts to provide critiques as well as alternatives in the
interplay of the environment and political, economic and social factor". (Robbins 2005)

How the data are collecting in research method.

Impacts of coal mining

"Surface mines (sometimes called strip mines) are the source of about 65% of the coal that is
mined in the United States. These mining operations remove the soil and rock above coal
deposits or seams. The amount of coal produced at a surface mine is determined by the area
of land being mined at the surface and the thickness of the coal deposit. For example, in
Wyoming's Powder River Basin where coal deposits are close to the surface and may be up to
70 feet thick, one acre of land may produce more than 100,000 tons of coal. Mountaintop
removal and valley fill mining have affected large areas of the Appalachian Mountains in
West Virginia and Kentucky. In this form of coal extraction, the tops of mountains are
removed using explosives. As a result of this technique, the landscape is changed, and
streams may be covered with rock and dirt. The water draining from these filled valleys may
contain pollutants that can harm aquatic wildlife downstream. Although mountaintop mining
has existed since the 1970s, its use became more widespread and controversial beginning in
the 1990s. U.S. laws require that dust and water runoff from areas affected by coal mining
operations must be controlled, and laws require that the area has to be reclaimed close to its
original condition".(Independent statistic and analysis U.S Energy information
Administration)

Reducing the environmental impacts of coal use

"The Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act require industries to reduce pollutants released
into the air and water. The industry has found several ways to reduce sulfur, NOx, and other
impurities from coal. The industry has also found more effective ways of cleaning coal after

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it is mined, and coal consumers have shifted toward greater use of low sulfur coal. Power
plants use flue gas desulfurization equipment, also known as scrubbers, to clean sulfur from
the smoke before it leaves their smokestacks. In addition, industry and the U.S. government
have cooperated to develop technologies that can remove impurities from coal or that can
make coal more energy-efficient so less needs to be burned. Equipment intended mainly to
reduce SO2, NOx, and particulate matter can also be used to reduce mercury emissions from
some types of coal. Scientists are also working on new ways to reduce mercury emissions
from coal-burning power plants. Research is underway to address emissions of carbon
dioxide from coal combustion. Carbon capture separates CO2 from emissions sources and
recovers it in a concentrated stream. The CO2 can then be sequestered, which puts CO2 into
storage, possibly underground, where it will remain permanently. Reuse and recycling can
also reduce coal's environmental impact. Land that was previously used for coal mining can
be reclaimed and used for airports, landfills, and golf courses. Waste products captured by
scrubbers can be used to produce products like cement and synthetic gypsum for wallboard".
(Independent statistic and analysis U.S Energy information Administration)

Land disturbance

"In best practice, studies of the immediate environment are carried out several years before a
coal mine opens in order to define the existing conditions and to identify potential problems.
The studies look at the impact of mining on surface and ground water, soils, local land use,
native vegetation and wildlife populations. Computer simulations can be undertaken to model
impacts on the local environment. The findings are then reviewed as part of the process
leading to the award of a mining permit by the relevant government authorities". (World Coal
Association)

Water pollution

"Mine operations work to improve their water management, aiming to reduce demand
through efficiency, technology and the use of lower quality and recycled water. Water
pollution is controlled by carefully separating the water runoff from undisturbed areas from
water which contains sediments or salt from mine workings. Clean runoff can be discharged

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into surrounding water courses, while other water is treated and can be reused in processes
such as dust suppression and in coal preparation plants". (World Coal Association)

Acid mine drainage

"Acid mine drainage (AMD) is metal-rich water formed from the chemical reaction between
water and rocks containing sulpher-bearing minerals. There are mine management methods
that can minimize AMD, and effective mine design can keep water away from acid
generating materials and help prevent AMD occurring". (World Coal Association)

Dust & noise

"Dust at mining operations can be caused by trucks being driven on unsealed roads, coal
crushing operations, drilling operations and wind blowing over areas disturbed by mining.
Dust levels can be controlled by spraying water on roads, stockpiles, and conveyors. Other
steps can also be taken, including fitting drills with dust collection systems and purchasing
additional land surrounding the mine to act as a buffer zone. Trees planted in these buffer
zones can also minimize the visual impact of mining operations on local communities. Noise
can be controlled through the careful selection of equipment and insulation and sound
enclosures around machinery". (World Coal Association)

Department of Labor (DOL)

"The Mine Safety and Health Administration11 (MSHA) administers the

Provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) to

Enforce compliance with mandatory safety and health standards as a means to

eliminate fatal accidents, reduce the frequency and severity of nonfatal accidents,

Minimize health hazards, and promote improved safety and health conditions in

The nation's mines. MSHA provides technical support and training services to its

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Personnel and to personnel from the mining industry through its Pittsburgh Safety

And Health Technology Center and the National Mine Health and Safety Academy.

Because it is primarily a regulatory agency, MSHA's involvement in coal

Mine research is mostly as a "customer" for NIOSH research activities. However,

It does undertake field investigations, laboratory studies, and cooperative research

Activities related to health and safety issues, and evaluates new equipment and

Materials for use in mines. MSHA also supports state miner training activities

Through its states grant program, and it works collaboratively through partnerships

And coordinated research to ensure that mining technology, practices, and

Controls are developed and implemented to protect miner health or safety. The

Committee estimated that 5 percent of the MSHA technical support funding,

Almost $1.3 million in 2006, could be considered coal mining safety and health

Research. This amounted to almost 0.25 percent of the total federal coal R&D for

That year. MSHA's coal-related R&D budget, in constant 2005 dollars, decreased

By almost 13 percent between 1995 and 2006". (Coal research and development 2007)

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 Chapter no: 3

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

In this Chapter, I will present the findings that I collected through fieldwork in Islamkot
region.

THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL IMPACTS OF COAL EXTRACTION

THE PEOPLE OF THARPARKAR:

The largest discovery of coal project is impacting very badly on the people of Thar as well as
the environment and it has also disturbed people’s social life. One of my respondents Akram
told that “coal impact our social life there are not gender discrimination male or female
jointly work either in land or house work the villagers said our whole life we used wood for
fire and female would collect the small pieces of wood so these thing we’re help for daily life
there is no Gas, electricity there. The life we live is independent but our social life is so
disturbed and family relation of one village to another village are totally misplaced because
of coal companies or people of this region discuss the villages migration now this step bad
impact of our social life our unity or strength is being decreased, like that our village Kharo
Jani in Block-6 and village Bhoja Sar is coming in Block-7 so this different Block and
population ratio also a different but if a company migrate one village then the village relation
or blood relation going be wasted”.

The people living in the region annually repair the houses with mud and clay but as they are
hearing about displacement since last two years so they are living in uncertainty. That’s why
they haven’t been able to repair their houses.

Another respondent Jhaman Das told that coal change our social value, the social and
cultural life is changing form the starting work of coal our children live in fear and animal no

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to easy lived and very difficult to move anywhere these are the condition of Thari people that
recognize whole the culture but the Coal is being impacted.

The culture of Thar relies on the land and animals it means the cultivated land to fulfill the
needs it also helpful for animal and animal life growth the land and animal the basic need of
Thar if they were not present then the culture of Thar not moving.

According to the argument of the Abass Dars, “there is a high alert security and the area is
covered by safety wire” If we have to go 5 kilo meter then we have to travel 20 kilo meter
because we have to go on long route all the gates are closed all the sides are covered by
police and rangers, there are 230 homes in village sari sometimes we think that we have to do
Akber bugti like a man who was killed when we can do we can’t do.

The high security creates problems the life of villagers every time police and other security
team will point out the people ask for CNIC because of less education mostly they don’t
know what is CNIC.(They understand local or Sindhi terms but not the English terms )

Terath Das is my respondent he “discussed “The environmental impact of coal project” The
area of coal field is 9100 sqft in block-2 this huge area impact on the social life, the migrated
half of village and after two year they all migrate and settled in cities now there is no strength
of the community only single no village life with settlement of ethnic groups, but the city life
is quite be a different, slowly the all forget the cultural norms. The coal discovery decrease
the strength of the community and breaks the cultural norm, if the coal cause of migration
then also a cause of community strength decline, individually settled in city’s they all forget
their cultural values.

Engineer Dileep talk about Mechanism of Coal project “Now some of the running big issues
are also a hurdle to the work , mean to say that the re-housing to the exiled family from the
area remains a major concern and their replacing in a safe environment is their main
responsibility, so to manage this the project presented a model housing society in which they
are giving each family a home to live that consists of 2-3 rooms, a kitchen and bathroom
some kilometres away from the mining or danger zone but it is project under consideration
but within 2 to 3 years, they are demanding to complete it and convert the mapping into the
real structure. This model housing scheme almost places all the families which are displaced
from the working zones. When we debate onto the forest conservation or planting area and
increasing climatic changes due to grassy land degradation and cutting of trees then the

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projects also grow grassy and parking zones along the sides of working areas which reduces
the impact and somehow conserve the climate and arguing that we are planting ten trees on
the death or cutting of one tree.

Dost Mohammad Halepoto

He is the man of the area village name Thario halepoto

I have a good interviewed with him and a well acknowledge man in the village, has given 20
years to the different NGOs companies working in the different sectors of betterment now
feeling complexities in his area due to lots of disorders in the region due to intense level of
displacement and disorders in the area.

Social impacts on lives and their living pattern

In the Villages gender role is supposed to be 48% in the overall activities but now it is
discriminating due to the foreign people in the area. Women used to go towards fields along
with their men but now women are not willing to work in solo into the field. Men are only
toiling and by working whole the day, they hardly cover 50% of the daily routine work due to
loneliness, neither their child nor women are coming for working in the fields. In Thar, it is
believed to be a reciprocal system of giving and taking respects but when some unknown
start to dwell among you, then panic and irritation feelings comes in mind that not only
disturb living but change the living styles and daily routine activities. Some misconception
and misunderstanding by local staff members had effected badly to the villagers like
comments from peons and from truck drivers. By face, a normal nice behavior but inside a
hard nose-headed attitude to the local people has been observed, in the area on a step, hardly
and strictly identification from local People, that shows a clear way of misbehaving to the
peace makers and peace lovers bodies!

Financial Issues
There are a more than sixteen hundred houses village kharo jani

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The economic life of remote people is very low they totally dependent on rain and domestic
animals their whole life depends on the cultivated land and animals there is most common
source of income. The animal not moving and Herding with also land cultivating is a help the
economical support the land just like animal growth through agriculture and many people to
convert the land into cash price and settled another hand bought a plot or shop to increase the
profession but the companies comes and talk on the issue of migration and animal but coal
field areas they never give the permission to villagers cut the trees to complete the financial
need.

The coal companies bought the land or give the land on lease one lake eighty thousand par
acre but some people have a lease the land and the support the financial life in the same way
they give us then it is help full for us.

These questions are remaining and people are thirsty and hungry are waiting for answers
where we are being settled if the companies migrated large population. The financial life of
remote people is very weak the totally dependent on rain and domestic animals their whole
life depends on the cultivated land and animals there is most common source of income. The
whole economy of Thar relied on the rain if rain should not come then drought in the shape of
famine give bad impact on people lives. Unemployment factor increases on behalf of coal
project, there are blackmailing the people of this region. Coalfield not beneficial for local
people. Coal project is one of the largest projects in the world and there are the high ratio of
labor but only For political liability which is the reasoning for injustice. When the project
started, the people of Thar who had been working in other cities like Karachi, Hyderabad etc.
left their jobs because they heard that coal companies will employ local people. But when
they went back, there were no jobs for them and now they are still unemployed and very
disturbed.

People became disturbed and totally in panic condition. Their survival is based on livestock
and agriculture but their land is spoiling and almost their grassland and pastures remain
extinct in the region due to high machinery usage and extraction projects and mining in the
different fields. A ray of hope for villagers due to coal mining and different project launching
but a poor man's eyes remain to wait for betterment but no financial nor other help for people.
Their own land has been taken from them on some amount of money, people became
landless, assets less, and jobless.

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They have no space in the working zones of projects, they became the foreigner in their own
lands.

During mining, a huge amount of water is pumping and under groundwater tables are
lowering down, that not only a big problem for 2 block villagers but in a bulk of water
scarcity will surround the whole villages.

No sufficient water for people nor for lands and neither for animals a big tragedy and losses
to dwellers of the area.

The high amount of warm gasses are left in the atmosphere producing toxic gasses but along
with this high changes in climate and intense variations that ultimately changes cropping
patterns.

The companies are not ready to trend the local people and neither willing to heir them, some
person heir but again fired readily, blaming of poses no much skills but villagers demand id
to trend them then they will ready to show their maximum potential. They are arguing that
they heir people from Thar but in actual from the whole area but the discussion remain that
what about the people of those whose land has gone away into their hands, what about those
who became jobless.

The economic condition became worsen and went into the depth of destruction. One facility
is off road and transport but it showed symphony its disadvantage of much accidents of the
animals and danger due to heavy traffic and it will be the analysis that it will increase when
all the blocks remain under work this is a big economical disorder.

View of Thar in the cultural context

There are simple lifestyles no any kind of fast technologies only they depend on tradition
lifestyle they daily complete their task on accurate timing like, early in the morning going to
fetch the water and store for the day in the same way they cutting a grass, or timing eating
food just totally different. The Very interesting element I see in Thar that’s respect and
Hospitality there is no concept of formalism. The Since the work of coal give the fear of
villager and each and every person have their responsibility that what we do because in the
starting work in block -2 the more changing in villages and it give the bad result now we are
very confused and worried about drinking water, animal responsibility, and land also but
from the work of coal since last two year they give the impact on our culture.

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 Fig no: 1.5 the cultivated land of Thar and picture capture during research

There are so many companies are visiting the project and with other officer but the employ of
china machinery company chines (people of china) very different from nature like a bath in
without washroom. No, our religion gives the permission it is prohibited in a culture of Thar.

Now the problem of our culture preserves the large discovery of coal change the culture in
past life they give importance to the culture.

The human mind are fresh day by day because of coal, people are manipulated by other
person and for low price they give our land to companies and they cause of migrated now
work on block -2 after this block next is kharo jani village it impact on the culture of the
village or nearest villages like Saly janji and Ranjinon in same Uc. The all forget the rituals
and life importance and leave the culture but we are celebrating our culture and it give the
peaceful lesson for coming generation the culture have then everyone show otherwise no
culture has exist the people are cultural shock, culture of Thar is transmitted from one
generation to another generation through the process of enculturation.

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 Case study
This is a case study of village “Ghoranno” in Uc-Jhangro, it is 33 kilometers away from
Islamkot city there are many ethnic groups living there and more than 15000 houses. It
consists of 17 village population, just of few people are educated from large population and
very simple life they are lived when the Discovery of Coal disturb their life, now the problem
is that company is taking over and situation is coalfield decided to make “Dam” for storing
the water in village “Ghorannro” but villager opinion is why we leave this village, this is our
village at the time and facing difficulty to make “Dam”.

Basically the issue of “Dam” is not the issues of one family but it the issues of whole village,
means the houses of this village with their agriculture fields going be wasted the “Dam” has a
cause of migration.

The construction of “Dam” is misplacing the large population, now see it’s company benefit
to make a “Dam” in “Ghoranno” village no one can talk about the “Dam” it’s starting of Dam
fields has been destroying their major source of income is cattle and cultivation that has been
destroying, villagers have a question why there making dam here while there are no sources
of coal excavation. Villagers staged for six to seven days but none other than own their own
leader Dr. Khato mal reached and had a meeting, near the village of barber digging has been
started which cost them largely and shrine of “Shami” Darvesh has been destroying also the
destroy the Graveyard of this village it’s very bad for the people.

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 Fig no: 1.6 After the cultivated land company select this area for “DAM” in village
“Ghoranno”

According to this survey, few villages located beside village “Ghoranno” and pipe fitting has
been started between their village that was plain fields earlier now it has been destroyed.
They had destroyed that field which for gold for a villager in shape of cultivating and cattle.

According to the issue of Dam is relate to the coal project, basically the mechanism of coal is
create the issue of “Dam” the china machinery corporation is make planning of coal wash in
first step then is able to produce the energy, now the remaining west water being store in
Dam which will held on village “Ghoranno”.

I saw different ethnic groups living together, no racism, no religion bias the lived together
and except death together there are twelve well which has drinkable water but they say if the
will make “Dam” then water will be wasted, and it will not drinkable for cattle, the big thing
about that other ethnic groups arrived and get astonished by seeing what’s going their
villager said those people don’t have any permission they forcing making “Dam” and last
night it was noted that few people coming and digging a hole and people got astonished,
where they going or where they coming, means it horrible time. Now Villagers stop the
construction work of “Dam”.

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They villager said that in the Islamkot court order they appeal and in which the judge to
present the both companies and villagers totally damaged and they have their papers of the
property on which their confidence increase. And they also said that near their village in
which there is fertile land on which surface they can make “Dam”. But company for its
advantage they use our property. And the main thing that government also gave permission to
made “Dam” on that fertile land in the village “Katarn”. Where company want to made
“Dam” on the property of the village then it’s big disaster for them because from that’s
property they lives their life their source of incomes from that property if “Dam” made on
their property then it’s very difficult for them to live their life in that village and well know
personal is lecturer in the Karachi and deliver lecture in college in the Karachi Mr. Bhemraj
also the resident of this village and he try his best to save his village right and he raise his
voice in the Karachi and meet with Dr. Mahesh Mallani and Khathu Mal and discuss his
village problem and after Bhemraj hardworking the villagers feel some relief, after that
committee ordered to the company to stop his works till the final decision. And Bhemraj
motivated to his villager that your existence is you're independent of you are two or more
villages you are migrated very quickly by a company. But you are in the majority of 17
villages and which consists of 15thousand houses. That’s why your problem should be
considered more.

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 Chapter no: 4

Recommendation and Conclusion

The Thar has a rich culture and their identity the people of this region very hard
worker and innocent there are more than one community are settled, Thar has
also a historical background. Tharparkar has District and based four major cities
such as, Diplo, Islamkot, Chachro, Mithi.

From the past to present world has progress but the life of Thari people never be
change because of their Strong Culture Identity, there are ethnic groups are
lived an also intermix religion which show their culture value.

Now the discovery of Thar Coal impact on the people lives as well as the
culture I had collect the data from the people of Coal field areas, one of my
respondent he told me that discovery of coal in Thar from the last two year but
no one political party take it seriously. Basically the Discovery of largest coal
has support the Pakistan Economic corridor. According to the Sindh Engro Coal
Mining Company (SECMC) and the Client Company China machinery
corporation (CMC) that they show coal in 2019 and produce electricity in
Block-2.

If the state want to discover the coal then they have right solution to save the
people environment or the culture of the people or facilitate the large population
but what happen there are no any facilitate for people they just think of our
profit.

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 Fig no: 1.6 mining work in block-2 village “Seari”

The companies study to people of this region through the help of social employ
to motivated the people of this region. Engro companies visit these villages
which comes in the field areas, and said the villager, we are with you we make a
planning for your future and re-housing settlement, but there is no any kind of
settlement or plot reserve for villager, the company bought their land in low
price now it’s very problematic situation for villager to leave the house and
settled any where the whole area not the happy to leave they said it’s our land
and we not want to leave this is our mother land this is fact we have cultural
identity but how we can preserve our culture and this is a state project and we
not able to fight against to state.

They also bad impact of the animals like in work going on block number -2
village "seari" they think that it may be thief and other regional people but no
any person to interfere life of villager they happy to see the work start in the
large discovery of coal but no one can see the impacted of Thar social life.

From last year people of coal field areas hearing from other people that you all
migrated from this areas to cities now from that day to still people are worried
to resettlement the large population, but the people of villages not ready leave
and move to another place this is attachment of our mother land but problem
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create before the excavation of coal because there are high chemical aviation
that's danger for human life. The coal companies open the site office near the
village Thario Hale photo in this office companies announced the vacancy for
local people of this region then the people of near village come there and
apply for eligible post but no post given them, According to companies policies
we need an experience now how people of Thar have experience get and ask
for generator repair work or drive work etc. but they don't know more and
consulate just announced the message to come if you want to apply or call for
driving and give the training of three month and held a test for final job
selection its difficult task for villager then the problematic situation create that
is monitoring no one can give the proper guideline for safe driving or signal
stopping, fill the dumper in sand during excavation so these types of problem
faced. Dr. Malani held a meeting at Islamkot and he calls the Engro Mining
Companies head and near villages head man to distribute the jobs in political
liability but no take the serious.

The source exist the deal with villagers to seven blocks but now the work going
on block -2 the vacancy open for village Aban none, Seari, Thario Hale photo,
Batra, Jaman. In same way also another way of appoint as employ through the
relatives relationship bases, just only four or five people of any particular
village in each block and company fill up personal information report like a
physical test, CNIC is must.

Coalfield also disturb there social life of Thar there are not issue of religion
means there are ethnic groups lives in each village an this is very difficult for
these people to change a social life and acquired a urbanization this is regional
people and they live in simple life, slowly and gradually discovery of coal
change their social life. The current situation of Block-2 has running but it really
horrible the people of this area lose their agriculture land now see the
agriculture land support their financial life as well as to cover their animal
sources and wood is uses for fire because there is no gas or electricity.

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 Fig no: 1.7 pipe line fitting for coal west water store in “DAM”

The animal not moving and Harding with areas of coalfield this is a big loss,
also land cultivating is a help the economical support the land help animal
growth through agriculture and many people to convert the land into cash
price and bought a plot shop to increase the profession but the companies
comes and talk on the issue of migration and animal and ecology of coal field
areas they never give the permission to villagers cut and to complete the
financial need they bend to take dry wood for fire and now the companies
fitting the cover boundary wire they said we make a save the areas no one
interfere with our duty that's why we cover the areas of block it the companies
policies and opinion but villager what they said can you realize the animal are
bend and people are facing a travelling issue to reach one village to another as
well as the tree and the bushes of animal or sometimes they give animal tree
for as food.

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4- TRDP, Novib Publication.

5- Shaikh, Shamsuddin (2016) Thar Coal- Separating facts from fiction, the
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6- Robbins, P. (2004) Political ecology. Blackwell Publishers, Oxford.

7- Jorgensen Danny L: 1989, participant observation, London sage publication.

8- Harper Douglas: 2002, vol, 17 N0. 1, talking about pictures: a case for photo
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9- Off Ivan and Hultberg: 2006 cited in focus group methodology: introduction
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10- Fidel Raya: 1984, the case study method: a case study: American,
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Web Wikipedia

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14- World coal Association. Web Wikipedia

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