A Just Transition or a Downward Spiral? Land and Livelihood Transitions to and Away From Coal Mining in India

Abstract

When coal mines expand across Central and Eastern India, agrarian groups typically object strongly to displacement. Meanwhile, and often in the immediate vicinity of the expanding mines, the previously displaced now working in the coal economy protest against mine closures. Additional millions are situated somewhere between attempts to protect agrarian livelihoods and keeping a coal job as their lives become increasingly conflated with, and dependent on, coal. In this article, we draw on long-term and recent engagements across two coal-producing states in India to reflect on difficult livelihood transitions to and away from coal mining among indigenous and caste Hindu groups. We focus on the enduring value of land for which there is no good substitute as means of social reproduction. When a mine inevitably closes, lacking skills and land holdings generate a downward spiral in enforced livelihood transitions towards insecure informality. This creates enduring tensions in the concept of ‘just transitions’ when applied to the Indian coal sector.