Coal news and updates

Create greenbelts around coal mines: NPCB suggests

The Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) has recommended that it is a must to create greenbelts around coal mining sites in Nagaland to acts as a barrier for air pollution.

In its report titled ‘Study of coal mining areas in Nagaland and its impact on environment,’ the NPCB said that afforestation should be done on all the slopes of the dump and the depression area which forms lagoons as a result can be utilized for fish cultivation.

“Topsoil will be excavated and dumped separately. The entire topsoil will be reclaimed and spread over the backfilled internal dump area for land reclamation purpose,” it stated. The surface of leaves also help in collecting dusts and is important around the mine boundary to reduce the SPM and toxic gases beyond the mine site to spread to a great extent.

The process of enforcement of environmental legislation, e.g. reclamation, should be conducted in a manner which avoids or minimizes delays and associated costs, the NPCB added. It said that the calculation of the cost of coal should allow for the cost of future land reclamation made necessary by its production.

It also suggested that an assessment of environmental and socio-economic impact should be undertaken when establishing mining activities in areas where there has been no coal mining.

Drainage of water containing acids and heavy metals from mining and /or waste disposal, which is a threat to ground and surface waters, should be abated and techniques should be used which minimize the total cost, including the social cost.

“The highest practicable degree of occupational health and safety for miners should be assured,” it emphasized.

Source: Moroung Express