"South Eastern Coalfields Allocates Rs. 169 Crore for 'Miyawaki' Plantation Investment"

South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), the Chhattisgarh-based arm of Coal India Limited (CIL), is set to invest Rs. 169 crore in extensive plantations across Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh over the next four years. Headquartered in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district, SECL operates 65 coal mines, with 39 in Chhattisgarh and 26 in Madhya Pradesh.

SECL has entered into agreements with Chhattisgarh Rajya Van Vikas Nigam (CGRVVN) and Madhya Pradesh Rajya Van Vikas Nigam (MPRVVN), both state-run agencies under the Department of Forests. These agreements outline a five-year plantation project spanning from 2023-24 to 2027-28, followed by four years of maintenance, with an estimated investment of Rs 169 crore, according to an SECL spokesperson.

While SECL remains a prominent coal producer in India, it is equally dedicated to enhancing green cover and preserving natural ecosystems surrounding its coal mines, mitigating the environmental impact of mining activities.

In a novel approach to afforestation, SECL will employ the Miyawaki method for the first time in its operational areas, starting with the Gevra Area as a pilot project. Collaborating with CGRVVN, the pilot project is estimated to cost around Rs 4 crore, spanning two years and involving the planting of approximately 20,000 saplings.

The Miyawaki plantation initiative aims to bolster green cover around the Gevra mine, the largest coal mine in the country. The use of indigenous species of fruit-bearing, avenue, and ornamental trees is expected to benefit local communities and wildlife, while also playing a crucial role in dust particle absorption and surface temperature regulation.

SECL, established in 1985, has a strong history of afforestation efforts. In the fiscal year 2023-24, the company brought 475 hectares of land under green cover and planted a record 10.77 lakh saplings, marking the highest among all Coal India subsidiaries.

The Miyawaki plantation method, pioneered in the 1970s by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, involves planting native trees, shrubs, and groundcover plants within every square meter. This technique, ideal for small land parcels, creates a dense canopy layer of tall trees, contributing to a sustainable and vibrant ecosystem.

BS