Coal PSUs enhance green cover with 235 lakh trees across 10,784 hectares

The Ministry of Coal announced today that government-owned coal/lignite PSUs have planted over 235 lakh saplings in an area exceeding 10,784 hectares from FY 2019-20 to FY 2023-24, significantly enhancing the country’s carbon sink.

These PSUs have implemented a range of mitigation and sustainable measures, including extensive plantation programs with native species at various sites. They have also collaborated with scientific institutions and used satellite surveillance to monitor reclamation performance.

The diverse approach to their plantation program includes shade-giving trees, medicinal and herbal plants, fruit-bearing trees, timber value trees, and ornamental/avenue plants. This not only contributes to biodiversity conservation but also provides additional socio-economic benefits to local communities.

Furthermore, coal/lignite PSUs have adopted the Miyawaki plantation method, which aims to establish a dense forest in just 10 years, a process that typically requires a century. This innovative method involves cultivating multi-layered forests that exhibit rapid growth and replicate the natural biodiversity found in native forests.

Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) has already adopted the Miyawaki method in Kulda OCP at Subalaya village, planting species such as Arjun, Asan, Phasi, Sal, Bija, Karanj, Dhauda, Gamhar, Mahogany, Ashok, Patali, Chhatian, Dhuranj, Harra, Bahera, Amla, Guava, Mango, and Jackfruit. The coal/lignite PSUs have also taken up about 15 hectares of Miyawaki plantation in and around coal mines in the current fiscal year.

The efforts of these PSUs are commendable and are contributing significantly to the country’s environmental conservation and sustainable development goals. The Ministry of Coal’s announcement reflects the commitment of these PSUs to their environmental responsibilities while meeting the nation’s energy demands.