Challenges of Environmental Management in Indian Coal Mining Sector

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Challenges of Environmental Management in Indian Coal Mining Sector

Journal Title: Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology - Year 2013, Vol 3, Issue 6

Abstract

Mining adversely affects the eco-system as a whole. It is important to conduct suitable assessment studies to learn the potential adverse impact of mining on flora and fauna. To overcome from the problems one should have knowledge about the various activities of environmental concern. A degraded environment has foreclosed alternative employment opportunities especially in the forestry and agricultural sector, leading the poor people to criminal activities. This is because environmental degradation has affected especially the common property resources such as land and water on which depend the subsistence and well-being of the poor groups. The study region being the foremost coal producing region of the country also ranked high in the list of environmentally degraded areas. Vast areas in the Raniganj and Jharia coal belt in India have become derelict due to abandoned and active surface and underground mines. In the open cast mines, waste materials are usually stacked as huge dumps in the immediate surroundings. These, coupled with coal dumps, cause significant visual impact. Large areas of forest, agricultural land, and pasture land have been converted into colliery colonies or into fallow land due to rapid expansion of the coal mines. As a result, the land use pattern has been changed considerably over the last three decades. This paper aims to study the impact of coal mining on its surrounding environment.

Authors and Affiliations

Sribas Goswami

Keywords

EP ID EP31859
DOI -
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