Team News Riveting
Raipur, October 14
South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) has brought 475 hectares of land under green cover in the financial year 2023-24 and planted 10.77 lakh saplings, which is the highest in Coal India.
More than 3 crore saplings have been planted by the coal company since its inception. 2 eco parks have already been established by the company and 3 more eco parks are proposed. In the financial year 2023-24, along with coal production, SECL is also setting new records in environmental protection by planting trees.
To increase the green cover, the company has planted trees, grass bedding and bamboo plants on a large scale inside and outside the mine lease area. SECL is the only subsidiary of Coal India where bamboo saplings have been planted in 18 hectares and grass bedding has been done in an area of more than 26 hectares. Apart from this, various fruit trees, timber and medicinal/herbal plants have been planted in 335 hectares within the mine lease boundary and 96 hectares outside the mine lease boundary.
Increasing green cover is helping in reducing carbon emissions in the mine and its surrounding areas, preventing soil erosion and pollution by stabilizing the soil, and also improving the underground water level.
SECL is also working on a roadmap for increasing plantation and green area in the coming years. The company plans to invest Rs 169 crore on tree plantation in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh during the next five years. The company has signed MoUs with Chhattisgarh State Forest Development Corporation (CGRVVN) and Madhya Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation (MPRVVN) for tree plantation work in these states this year, under which over five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28. The company will plant more than 26 lakh saplings in the state of Chhattisgarh and about 12 lakh in Madhya Pradesh in partnership with state corporations.
Apart from plantation, the company has converted old/abandoned mines into eco-parks which are emerging as attractive tourist destinations for the local people. SECL established Kenapara in Surajpur district and Ananya Vatika in Anuppur district, which is being presented as a wonderful example of environmental promotion not only in the country but also abroad. Apart from these eco-parks, the company is working on building 3 more eco-parks which include Manikpur Eco Park in Korba district, Oxygen Park under Kusmunda area and Eco Nature Park in Gevra area.
