Coal, Lignite PSUs contributes additional carbon sink of around 3 billion tons of CO2

The national goal of establishing an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO? equivalent through extensive afforestation in and around coal and lignite mining areas is being actively pursued by Coal and Lignite Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), specifically Coal India Limited (CIL), NLC India Limited (NLCIL), and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).

Through afforestation initiatives, Coal and Lignite PSUs have planted over 13,317 hectares of greenery since FY 2019–20. According to research by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), the projected carbon sink potential of these plantation efforts is around 6.68 lakh tonnes CO? equivalent per year, taking into account a factor of 50.16 tonnes CO? equivalent per hectare of plantation.

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The Ministry of Coal has set a target of 15,350 ha for land reclamation and a?orestation for Coal/Lignite PSUs under Vision Viksit Bharat for the next 5 years.

To ensure the e?ectiveness of greening initiatives in coal mining areas, multiple monitoring mechanisms are in place, such as scientific reclamation, biodiversity conservation, and socio-economic integration.

A?orestation activities are generally carried out by the State Forest Departments and State Forest Development Corporations in the Coal/Lignite PSUs, which include maintenance for up to 5 years, and when the plants become self-sustaining, a joint enumeration of survival is also conducted.

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A?orestation activities undertaken by Coal and Lignite PSUs are primarily implemented through State Forest Departments and State Forest Development Corporations. These agencies actively involve local communities in a?orestation initiatives.

To ensure their active participation and employment opportunities, the majority of the workforce for nursery development, plantation, maintenance, and security is drawn from the local community.

Through these e?orts, Coal and Lignite PSUs ensure that a?orestation initiatives not only contribute to environmental restoration but also provide economic and social benefits to the local population.

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