Every year, marginal farmers from across the country travel to Mumbai's saltpans to earn some extra money
Many marginal farmers head to Mumbai's saltpans in the summer when farming is not feasible back home. In the absence of options, it's one of the ways to make a living, they say. Photo: Gajanan Khergamker
These workers begin their day at 6 am with pounding and flattening the damp fields. The sea water crystallises into unrefined salt which is extracted by the evening. Photo: Gajanan Khergamker
Most workers arrive from as far as south Gujarat and Maharashtra’s Dahanu straight after Diwali, and stay till the beginning of monsoon. Photo: Gajanan Khergamker
Salt pans are spread across Mumbai's Dahisar, Goregaon, Mulund, Bhandup, Kanjurmarg, Nahur, Ghatkopar, Turbhe, Chembur, Wadala and Anik. They are thronged by landless farmers and those finding it difficult to make ends meet. Photo: Gajanan Khergamker
These workers earn barely Rs 7,000 per month. They are provided with rice, dal and oil to cook in temporary, often illegal shacks set up near the salt pans. Photo: Gajanan Khergamker
Working through the day and in harsh conditions, the workers often suffer from a series of skin and feet problems. Photo: Gajanan Khergamker
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