SECL Achieves Milestone in Environmental Sustainability Through Compensatory Afforestation Initiatives

New Delhi: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a leading subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), has achieved a significant milestone in promoting environmental sustainability through the successful implementation of the Accredited Compensatory Afforestation (ACA) guidelines issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). This initiative, aimed at enhancing afforestation on non-forest lands, has contributed to increasing forest cover, supporting biodiversity, and earning carbon credits, advancing national environmental goals.

Coal mining projects often require the diversion of forest land, necessitating Forestry Clearance (FC) as part of the environmental approval process. A major hurdle in securing these clearances is identifying suitable Compensatory Afforestation (CA) land. To address this, the MoEF&CC issued ACA guidelines on January 24, 2023, designed to streamline the FC approval process, lower CA costs, and enhance afforestation efforts. The guidelines promote afforestation on fallow lands through both government and private initiatives, ultimately increasing Trees Outside Forests (TOF) and supporting ecological balance.

SECL’s Proactive Response to ACA Guidelines

In a proactive effort, SECL identified approximately 2,245 hectares of non-forest de-coaled land suitable for afforestation, with 1,424 hectares located in Chhattisgarh and 821 hectares in Madhya Pradesh. These lands were proposed to the respective State Forest Departments for notification as ACA land banks. This move is expected to expedite the FC process for future coal mining projects, providing a streamlined solution to forest land diversion issues.

Key Achievements:

• Biological Reclamation and Plantation: SECL has successfully reclaimed several de-coaled sites across Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, including projects such as Bishrampur Opencast (OC), Dugga OC, Kurasia Colliery, and others. These sites have been transformed into vibrant ecosystems, with local species such as Teak, Sal, Babul, and Neem planted to enrich biodiversity.
• Biodiversity Enrichment: The reclaimed lands now serve as habitats for various wildlife species, including Sloth Bears, Foxes, and several reptiles and migratory birds. Water bodies within these areas have become particularly attractive to wildlife, further enhancing biodiversity in the region.
• ACA Land Certification: Out of the 1,424 hectares identified in Chhattisgarh, 696 hectares have already been inspected by officials from the Surajpur and Korea Forest Divisions. The State Forest Department has issued site suitability certificates for these lands to be used as CA land for SECL’s FC proposals, including projects at Gevra OC, Dipka OC, Kusmunda OC, and Chirimiri OC. The MoEF&CC has already approved ACA proposals for Gevra OC and Kusmunda OC, covering 541.195 hectares.

Promoting Responsible Mining and Environmental Sustainability

SECL’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability is evident in its adherence to ACA guidelines and its dedication to restoring ecological balance on de-coaled lands. These efforts not only demonstrate responsible mining practices but also set a high standard for other coal mining entities across India. As SECL continues to expand its afforestation and environmental initiatives, the company remains focused on contributing to India’s larger environmental goals and fostering a greener, more sustainable future.