Nagpur: Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Under The Mango Tree (UTMT) Society to promote sustainable livelihood opportunities through apiculture, or beekeeping, in villages surrounding the closed Ambara Underground Coal Mine in the Kanhan Area.
The MoU was signed on September 22, 2026, as part of the Re-purposing & Sustenance (R&S) Plan of Ambara UG Mine. The initiative will be implemented under the Just Transformation component of the Mine Closure Plan, with a focus on supporting local communities in the post-mining landscape.
WCL and UTMT to Promote Apiculture in Four Villages
Under the initiative, beekeeping activities will be promoted in four villages around the closed Ambara UG coal mine:
- Ghutti
- Ambara
- Nazarpur
- Jamkunda
The project aims to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities by introducing and strengthening apiculture as an alternative income-generating activity.
The initiative is also expected to support agricultural productivity and contribute to biodiversity conservation in the surrounding areas.
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MoU Signed Under Just Transformation Component
The partnership forms part of WCL’s efforts to implement the Re-purposing & Sustenance Plan for the Ambara UG Mine.
The project is being taken up under the Just Transformation component of the Mine Closure Plan, which focuses on supporting communities and developing sustainable economic opportunities in areas transitioning from mining activities.
The initiative seeks to ensure that the post-mining landscape continues to support local communities through alternative livelihood opportunities.
WCL and UTMT Officials Attend MoU Signing
The MoU was signed in the presence of Sandeep Paranjape, Director (Technical), WCL.
The agreement was formally signed by:
- CH. Dileep Kumar, General Manager (Mining), Environment Department, WCL
- Omprakash Pathe, Programme Officer, UTMT Society
The partnership brings together WCL’s mine-closure and community development efforts with UTMT Society’s focus on apiculture and sustainable livelihood development.
Beekeeping to Support Agriculture and Biodiversity
The apiculture initiative is expected to provide multiple benefits for communities around the closed mine.
Key objectives include:
- Creating sustainable livelihood opportunities
- Supporting local income generation
- Enhancing agricultural productivity through pollination
- Strengthening biodiversity
- Promoting sustainable land use in the post-mining landscape
- Supporting socio-economic development of local communities
By promoting beekeeping alongside agriculture, the initiative aims to create an ecosystem in which livelihood generation and environmental sustainability can progress together.
Focus on Sustainable Post-Mining Development
The MoU reflects WCL’s efforts to address the socio-economic needs of communities after the closure of mining operations.
The Re-purposing & Sustenance Plan for Ambara UG Mine seeks to create sustainable alternatives for communities associated with the mining area. The apiculture project is expected to contribute to this transition by creating a livelihood model that can continue beyond the mining phase.
The initiative also aligns with broader efforts to promote environmentally responsible development and strengthen community resilience in post-mining areas.
About Western Coalfields Limited
Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) is a subsidiary of Coal India Limited and operates coal mines across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The company is engaged in coal production and also undertakes initiatives related to mine closure, environmental management, community development and sustainable livelihoods.
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