INDIA’S COAL SECTOR GREEN INITIATIVES

Ministry of Coal seeks to bring more than 2400 hectare of area in and around coalfieldsunder green cover.
It has been aimed to plant more than 50 lakh saplings for the year 2022-23.
The identified areas include reclaimed mined out areas of coal companies and areas outside of leasehold – amenable for plantation and made available by State Government agencies.
As of now, greening drive is in full swing in coal mining areas and about 1000 hectares of land has already been covered through block plantation, avenue plantation, grassland creation, bamboo plantation and high-tech cultivation by 15th August, 2022.
Example: paddy field and coconut plantation in Mine -I reclamation area of NLCIL in Tamil Nadu and Bio-reclamation at Nigahi Area of NCL in Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh.

Significance:

Afforestation is a proven way of restoration of lands damaged by anthropogenic activities and must for achieving satisfactory rehabilitation of a mined landscape.
The greening initiatives of the coal sector support India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitment to create additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
India has recently revised its NDCs.
Greening initiatives help in minimizing the footprints of coal mining, prevents soil erosion, stabilises the climate, preserves wild life and enhances quality of air & watersheds.
On a global scale, these mitigate climate changethrough carbon sequestration and also results in economic growth of the region.
Through greening initiatives, the Indian coal industry seeks to secure availability of coal to meet the demand of various sectors of the economy while minimising the impact of mining on the environment and to improve the quality of life for local residents.

NDCs

India is now committing itself to at least 45% reduction in emissions intensityof GDP (emissions per unit of GDP) from 2005 levels.
The existing target was a 33% – 35% reduction.
India is also promising to ensure that at least 50% of installed electricity generation capacity in 2030 would be based on non-fossil fuel-based sources.
This is an increase from the existing 40% target.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT

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