The year 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). World Environment Day, 2024, focuses on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience, under the slogan, ‘Our Land. Our Future. We are #GenerationRestoration’.
The theme emphasizes the importance of sustainable land management and the need to rehabilitate degraded lands to ensure a sustainable future for all. The Coal Ministry has released a report titled ‘Greening Initiative in Coal & Lignite PSUs’, which highlights the efforts of the PSUs in the coal and lignite sectors to restore and rejuvenate mined-out lands.
The PSUs have undertaken extensive afforestation and ecological restoration projects, to transform barren landscapes into thriving green areas. Such initiatives not only combat desertification and enhance drought resilience but also contribute to carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation. By integrating these efforts, the report underscores the significant role that the coal sector can play in advancing the goals of land restoration and promoting environmental sustainability. This synergy between global ambitions and local actions illustrates a comprehensive approach to preserving our planet’s land resources for future generations.
The Coal and Lignite Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), operating under the guidance of the Ministry of Coal, registered an increase in the coal production levels over the years to meet the escalating energy demands of the nation but also demonstrated their dedication to environmental preservation by implementing various mitigation measures. These PSUs are looking forward to reclaiming mined-out areas through extensive plantation efforts in and around coal-bearing regions.
Mr. Amrit Lal Meena, Secretary of the Ministry of Coals, lauded the endeavours undertaken by CMPDI and the Sustainability & Just Transition Division of the Ministry of Coal in compiling the report. He expressed his anticipation about the report garnering significant attention and leveraging to augment green cover through the adoption of innovative techniques, such as seed ball plantation, seed casting via drones and Miyawaki plantation, within coal mines by other entities. It aims to outline the initiatives undertaken by the coal sector to increase green cover in coal regions through reclamation efforts.
