India’s Coal Sector Adds 2734 Hectares of Land to Green Cover in FY 2023-24
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 14th Oct. India’s Coal Ministry has shown a strong commitment to environmental conservation in the financial year 2023-24. They have planted over 51 lakh saplings, covering more than 2734 hectares of land, surpassing their target of 2400 hectares.
They have also covered 372 hectares with grass, which helps stabilize the soil, retain moisture, and prevent erosion in reclaimed land.
In the previous fiscal year, Coal/Lignite PSUs under the Ministry of Coal planted around 50 lakh saplings, covering 2370 hectares of land.
Over the past five years, Coal and Lignite PSUs have added 10,894 hectares of land to the green cover by planting over 233 lakh saplings, under the guidance of the Coal Ministry.
They conduct massive plantation drives annually in the coal sector, including avenue plantation, plantation on overburden dumps, residential colonies, riverbanks, and roadsides.
They have also adopted innovative methods like miyawaki plantation, seed ball plantation, grassland development, and drone technology for planting in challenging terrains.
The Indian Coal Sector has made significant progress in reducing its ecological impact and contributing to the country’s sustainability goals and environmental conservation.
By focusing on greening and reclaiming mined-out areas, Coal/Lignite PSUs have played a crucial role in increasing India’s forest and tree cover.
These efforts align with the National Mission for a Green India (GIM) and the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitment to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through increased forest and tree cover by 2030.
In addition to afforestation, the coal sector also promotes the development of eco-parks and mine tourism sites. They have successfully established fifteen eco-parks/mine tourism sites, with seven integrated into the local tourism circuit.
They have plans to develop 19 new eco-parks/tourism sites in coal mining areas, contributing to sustainable tourism and environmental conservation. The estimated funds for these initiatives amount to ₹128 crore.
These eco-parks, with tree plantations and grasslands, serve as important components of green landscapes and act as carbon sinks.
These achievements highlight the dedication and relentless efforts of Coal/Lignite PSUs in contributing to India’s environmental sustainability goals.
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