Ecological Restoration and Reclamation of Mined-Out Coal Lands
Ecological Restoration and Reclamation of Mined-Out Coal Lands
Coal/Lignite Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), namely Coal India Limited (CIL), NLC India Limited (NLCIL), and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) have undertaken progressive ecological reclamation of mined-out and barren coal mine lands through scientific reclamation, including biological and technical measures. The State-wise and year-wise details of the total mined area reclaimed for ecological restoration purposes during the last five years by these PSUs are as under:
State-wise Coal mined land Reclaimed for Ecological Restoration Purposes in Last 5 Years (in Hectares)
State
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
2024-25
Total
Assam
0.00
0.60
1.24
0.00
1.90
3.74
Chhattisgarh
138.85
183.50
198.94
245.84
305.44
1072.57
Jharkhand
125.64
211.08
240.15
129.17
119.40
825.44
Madhya Pradesh
262.81
286.05
203.50
284.74
366.65
1403.75
Maharashtra
61.11
186.67
200.13
210.13
146.10
804.14
Odisha
72.71
64.49
65.88
31.63
123.43
358.14
Rajasthan
23.00
6.00
5.00
8.00
6.00
48.00
Tamil Nadu
160.60
131.92
113.30
128.07
125.12
659.01
Telangana
809.00
580.00
557.50
562.00
551.00
3059.50
Uttar Pradesh
56.50
78.50
102.50
64.59
58.77
360.86
West Bengal
120.24
136.75
119.01
127.72
57.73
561.45
Total
1830.46
1865.56
1807.15
1791.89
1861.54
9156.60
Coal and Lignite PSUs have a target of reclamation and afforestation of 2,800 hectares of land in and around coal and lignite mining areas during the financial year 2025-26. The afforestation by Coal and Lignite PSUs is done using appropriate techniques such as drone-based seed broadcasting, Miyawaki plantations and seed ball broadcasting.
The Ministry of Coal is engaged in coordination with the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the State Governments of coal and lignite bearing states to facilitate the use of safe and treated mine water for domestic and irrigation purposes in areas surrounding the coal and lignite mines operated by the Coal and Lignite PSUs. Coal and Lignite PSUs have obtained No Objection Certificates (NoCs) from the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), Ministry of Jal Shakti for the withdrawal of groundwater in the mines operated by them. The following hydrological restoration and water table improvement measures have been implemented by the PSUs in coal-bearing districts:
This information was given by Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.