Coal and Mining Sector

[pib] Green Cover around Coalfields

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Green Cover around Coalfields

Why in the News?

Coal & Lignite Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) such as Coal India Limited (CIL), NLC India Limited (NLCIL), and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) have implemented various innovative plantation techniques in addition to traditional methods to increase green cover in and around coalfields.

Achievements in Green Cover Creation:

  • Coal & Lignite PSUs have successfully created green cover on 10,942 hectares of land as part of their plantation and bio-reclamation efforts over the last 5 years.
  • The efforts are primarily focused on coal and lignite mining areas and surrounding regions.

Guidelines and EC Conditions

  • The MoEF&CC sets out specific and general conditions for plantation in the Environmental Clearance (EC) of coal mining projects.
  • Plantations are carried out on:
    • Reclaimed degraded forest areas
    • Non-forest lands and overburden dumps to ensure proper reclamation and regeneration of green cover.
  • Under the guidance of the Ministry of Coal, 16 Eco-parks/Mine Tourism sites have been established over the last 5 years.
  • These sites aim to:
    • Promote environmental regeneration
    • Encourage tourism and recreational activities in coal mining areas, boosting local economies and raising environmental awareness.

Innovative techniques for enhancing Green Cover around Coalfields

  • Three-tier plantation: A method involving planting different species at varying heights to create a layered canopy for enhanced biodiversity.
  • Seed ball plantation: Seeds are encased in soil and compost balls and thrown in barren or degraded areas to promote natural growth.
  • Miyawaki plantation: A high-density plantation technique aimed at creating a dense, self-sustaining forest in a shorter period.
  • High-tech cultivation: Utilizing modern agricultural techniques for efficient plantation and maintenance.
  • Bamboo plantation: Focusing on bamboo as a fast-growing and environmentally beneficial plant for reclamation.
  • Drip irrigation on overburden dumps: Use of efficient water management systems to promote plantation on areas like overburden dumps.

PYQ:

[2019] Consider the following statements:

  1. As per law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority exists at both National and State levels.
  2. People’s participation is mandatory in the compensatory afforestation programmes carried out under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

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