Coal PSUs Enhance Green Initiatives to Mark 30th Anniversary of UNCCD

Secretary of the Ministry of Coal, Shri Amrit Lal Meena, praised the efforts of the CMPDI and the Sustainability & Just Transition Division of the Ministry in compiling this report.

Coal and Lignite Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), guided by the Ministry of Coal, have significantly boosted coal production over the years to meet the nation's growing energy demands while also prioritizing environmental preservation. These PSUs have implemented various mitigation measures, including reclaiming mined-out areas through extensive plantation efforts in coal-bearing regions.

As the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is commemorated, World Environment Day 2024 focuses on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience under the slogan "Our Land. Our Future. We are #GenerationRestoration." This theme highlights the critical need for sustainable land management and the rehabilitation of degraded lands to ensure a sustainable future.

In line with this global theme, the Ministry of Coal has released a report titled "Greening Initiative in Coal & Lignite PSUs," showcasing the efforts of these PSUs in restoring and rejuvenating mined-out lands. Through extensive afforestation and ecological restoration projects, these PSUs have transformed barren landscapes into thriving green areas. These initiatives not only combat desertification and enhance drought resilience but also contribute to carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation.

Secretary of the Ministry of Coal, Shri Amrit Lal Meena, praised the efforts of the CMPDI and the Sustainability & Just Transition Division of the Ministry in compiling this report. He expressed his hope that the report would attract significant attention and encourage the adoption of innovative techniques such as seed ball plantation, seed casting via drones, and Miyawaki plantation within coal mines by other entities. The report outlines the initiatives undertaken by the coal sector to increase green cover through reclamation efforts.

The report highlights the consistent and earnest efforts by Coal/Lignite PSUs to mitigate the environmental impact of coal mining through ongoing reclamation and afforestation endeavors. It presents greening initiatives in both closed and active coal mines and provides a blueprint for a more sustainable and eco-friendly future. The data has been validated through Remote Sensing Studies and on-site ground-truthing surveys at selected locations. This comprehensive documentation sets a standard for future scientific investigations.

Included in the report is mine-specific data concerning land usage status, corresponding reclamation efforts, and current and planned plantations both within and outside project sites. The data depict land usage across coal mines, the extent of completed reclamation projects, and the varieties of plantations undertaken. A roadmap outlines future plantation initiatives planned until the fiscal year 2029-2030, emphasizing advancements in effective land reclamation and sustainable utilization of mining-degraded lands.

Coal/Lignite PSUs have implemented scientific reclamation techniques for mined-out lands as per the schedules outlined in mining plans. They are also developing community-oriented land uses such as restored forests, eco-parks, and eco-tourism sites. The report states that these PSUs have established green cover spanning approximately 50,000 hectares in and around coal mining regions over the years. This includes biological reclamation of de-coaled land covering around 29,592 hectares, avenue plantation within mine leaseholds covering about 12,673 hectares, and plantation activities outside mine leaseholds covering about 7,735 hectares. These efforts are estimated to create a carbon sink potential of approximately 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.

The report is expected to strengthen the commitment to land reclamation and management among coal PSUs and catalyze the establishment of sustainable green cover across coal mining projects. This initiative will further contribute to increasing India's green cover, aiding in the fulfillment of India's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target of achieving a carbon sink of 2.5 to 3.0 billion tonnes by 2030. The report is available on the Ministry of Coal's website.