Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Coal addresses pollution from coal mining and coal-fired power plants, support for coal-dependent regions, phasing out inefficient mines, and collaboration with state governments. The policy emphasizes environmental clearances, mine closure guidelines issued on January 31, 2025, and promotion of cleaner coal technologies. The document outlines measures for environmental rehabilitation, social justice, and community engagement in coal mining areas.
Key Points / Main Content:
Environmental Regulations and Clearances:
* Coal mining operations require statutory clearances, including Environmental Clearance (EC) and Forest Clearance, as per MoEFCC guidelines.
* Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are mandatory for mining proposals, appraised by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC).
* Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) include dust control, noise mitigation, green belt development, and post-mining land restoration.
Sustainable Livelihoods and Mine Closure:
* Comprehensive mine closure guidelines issued on January 31, 2025, focus on skill development, livelihood generation, and ecosystem rehabilitation.
* Coal and power companies, including CIL, NTPC, and DVC, undertake Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs in Jharkhand and Odisha.
Promotion of Cleaner Coal Technologies:
* An incentive scheme for coal and lignite gasification projects, with an outlay of ₹8,500 crore, has been approved.
* "Production of Syngas leading to coal gasification" created under the Non-Regulated Sector (NRS) linkage auctions policy.
* A 50% rebate in revenue share for coal used in gasification in commercial coal block auctions is available, if at least 10% of production is used for gasification.
Collaboration with State Governments and Local Communities:
* Land acquisition follows State Government-approved schemes, with stakeholder consultation for transparency.
* Mine closure activities include technical and biological reclamation in consultation with State authorities.
* Reclaimed lands are converted into ecoparks, water reservoirs, and tourism sites to promote green cover and community engagement.
* Mine voids are repurposed for irrigation, drinking water, and pisciculture.
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Coal and Mines:
Impact: Responsible for implementing and overseeing the policies and technologies aimed at reducing pollution from coal mining and promoting sustainable practices.
Action Required: Continue to enforce environmental regulations, support cleaner coal technologies, and collaborate with state governments and local communities.
Coal Mining and Power Companies (CIL, NTPC, DVC):
Impact: Required to adhere to environmental clearance guidelines, invest in cleaner technologies, and engage in CSR activities for sustainable livelihoods.
Action Required: Implement environmental management plans, participate in CSR programs, and adopt cleaner coal technologies such as coal gasification.
State Governments (Jharkhand, Odisha):
Impact: Collaborate with the central government on land acquisition, mine closure activities, and community engagement.
Action Required: Approve land acquisition schemes, participate in mine closure planning, and support community development initiatives.
Local Communities:
Impact: Directly affected by land acquisition, environmental rehabilitation, and livelihood opportunities in coal mining areas.
Action Required: Participate in consultations, engage in skill development programs, and utilize reclaimed lands for economic activities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Coal: The Government of India's ministry responsible for coal and lignite production, supply, distribution, and pricing.
Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian: Member of Parliament who raised the question regarding coal mining pollution in Lok Sabha.
Jharkhand: A state in India identified as a coaldependent region.
Odisha: A state in India identified as a coaldependent region.
G. Kishan Reddy: The Minister of Coal and Mines who provided the answer to the question in Lok Sabha.
MoEFCC: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the government agency responsible for environmental clearances and monitoring.
Environment Protection Act, 1986: An act under which the EIA Notification, 2006 was issued and which governs environmental protection measures.
EIA Notification, 2006: Notification under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, mandating Environmental Impact Assessment for mining proposals.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COAL
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1776
ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025
Technology to Reduce Coal Mining Pollution
1776 Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian:
Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:
(a) the details of specific policies and technologies are being implemented to reduce air, water
and soil pollution caused by coal mining and coal-fired power plants;
(b) the manner in which the Government is supporting coal-dependent regions such as
Jharkhand and Odisha, to transition towards renewable energy and sustainable livelihoods;
(c) the targets and timelines for phasing out inefficient coal mines and promoting cleaner coal
technologies like coal gasification or carbon capture; and
(d) the manner in which the Government is collaborating with State Governments and local
communities to ensure environmental rehabilitation and social justice in coal mining areas?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a) All coal mining operations are undertaken with valid statutory clearances, including
Environmental Clearance, Forest Clearance (wherever required), Consent to Operate, and
Groundwater Clearance. These are granted as per the guidelines of MoEF&CC and monitored
regularly through submission of compliance reports to the Pollution Control Boards and
MoEF&CC. The EC grant process includes detailed assessment of impact on air, water, soil,
forest, and biodiversity through Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and formulation of
mitigation strategies via Environmental Management Plans (EMP). As per the EIA
Notification, 2006, issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, all mining proposals
are appraised by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC). Environmental Clearances are
granted only after thorough scrutiny of the approved Mine Plan (including the Closure Plan),
incorporating mandatory provisions for environmental safeguards such as dust control, noise
mitigation, green belt development, biodiversity conservation, and post-mining land
restoration.
In respect of coal-fired power plants, a comprehensive framework of environmental policies
and advanced technologies have been adopted to minimize air, water, and soil pollution. These
initiatives align with national regulatory guidelines and commitment to sustainable and
responsible power generation.
(b) For promoting sustainable means of livelihood and to manage socio-economic and
environmental impact of mine closures, the Government has issued comprehensive guidelinesfor Mine Closure on 31.01.2025 that focuses on an integrated approach that includes skill
development of locals, livelihood generation, land restoration, ecosystem rehabilitation,
community participation, and post-closure development.
In addition, coal companies as well as power companies such as CIL, NTPC, DVC are
undertaking a variety of initiatives under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs
focusing on skill-building and livelihood enhancement activities in regions like Jharkhand and
Odisha.
(c) The Government has not set any targets and timelines for phasing out inefficient coal mines.
The Government is taking following initiatives to promote coal and lignite gasification -
i. The Government has approved an incentive scheme for promotion of coal and lignite
gasification projects for PSUs and private sector with an outlay of ₹ 8,500 crore.
ii. A new sub-sector, "Production of Syngas leading to coal gasification," was created under
the Non-Regulated Sector (NRS) linkage auctions policy to support coal gasification initiative.
iii. The Government has allowed coal supply to gasification projects under the NRS auction
with a floor price at the notified price of the regulated sector, for the projects commissioning
within the next seven years.
iv. 50% rebate in the revenue share for coal used in gasification has been introduced in
commercial coal block auctions, provided that at least 10% of the total coal production is used
for gasification purposes.
v. A framework has been established for granting waivers from registration for Transfer of
Technology (ToT) from land-border-sharing countries on a case- by-case basis. Waiver to one
application has been granted.
(d) The following measures are undertaken in close consultation with the State Governments
and with active participation from local communities to ensure inclusive development and
environmental rehabilitation -
i. Following a structured process for land acquisition and R&R in all its coal mining projects,
strictly in accordance with schemes approved by the respective State Governments.
Consultation with local stakeholders is an integral part of this process to ensure transparency,
address local concerns, and secure community participation in decision-making.
ii. Undertaking progressive and final mine closure activities, including both technical and
biological reclamation of mined-out areas, in consultation with State authorities to restore land
for alternative productive use.
iii. Converting reclaimed lands into eco-parks, water reservoirs, and tourism sites (e.g., Saoner
Eco Park and Gunjan Park), promoting green cover and enabling community engagement and
economic opportunities.
iv. Conducting large-scale afforestation drives in and around mining areas. Additionally,
saplings are distributed to local communities, enhancing biodiversity and contributing to the
carbon sink.
v. Repurposing mine voids for irrigation, drinking water supply, and pisciculture, which
directly benefits nearby communities and supports sustainable water resource management.
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