Lok Sabha Question No. 441 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Exploring Alternative Energy Sources
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Dushyant Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 441

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

## Exploring Alternative Energy Sources

## 441 . Shri Dushyant Singh:

Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is exploring alternative energy sources such as coalbed methane and underground coal gasification to mitigate the energy crisis in many States of the country and if so, the details thereof and the current progress on these initiatives;
- (b) the manner in which the Ministry is addressing environmental concerns associated with  coal  mining  in  many  States  particularly  regarding  reforestation  efforts  and compliance with legal regulations; and
- (c) whether the Union Government is collaborative with the coal-producing States to enhance coal availability and ensure an uninterrupted power supply for other States, including any specific agreements or projects in place, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor.

## ANSWER MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a): The Government has taken the following initiatives for the development of Coal Bed Methane (CBM):

- i. To harness CBM potential in the country, the Government of India formulated CBM Policy in 1997, wherein CBM being Natural Gas is explored and exploited under the provisions of the Oil Fields (Regulation and Development) Act 1948 (ORD Act 1948) and Petroleum & Natural Gas Rules 1959 (P&NG Rules 1959) administered by Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG).
- ii. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Coal (MoC) and the MoPNG, to act in a cooperative manner for the development of CBM. As per the policy, the MoPNG became the Administrative Ministry and Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) was made the nodal agency for the development of CBM in the country. MoPNG in consultation with the Ministry of Coal (MoC) identified and offered CBM Blocks located in coal-bearing areas.
- iii. At present  total, 15 CBM Blocks are active . Out of these 15 Blocks, 6 are in production stage, 2  are in development stage and 7 are in exploration stage.
- iv. Additionally, Bharat  Coking  Coal  Limited  (BCCL)  has  delineated  Jharia  CBM Block-I within the existing leasehold area for coal mining in Jharia Coalfield. The block is in exploration stage.

Regarding  Underground  Coal  Gasification  (UCG), a  pilot  R&D  project  has  been undertaken, for implementation in two phases, to establish UCG technology in Indian geological  conditions  at  Kasta  (West)  coal  block,  Jamtara  District  in  Jharkhand. Presently during Phase-I, project activity is being carried out for Site Characterization and Plant site selection.

(b): The Government has taken following measures to address environmental concerns with coal mining, particularly regarding reforestation efforts and compliance with legal regulations:

- i. For opening new mine, prior Environmental Clearance (EC) is obtained from Ministry  of  Environment,  Forests  &  Climate  Change  (MoEF&CC)  under Environment  (Protection)  Act  &  Rules,  1986,  EIA  Notification,  2006  and subsequent  amendments.  The  mines  are  operated  complying  with  the  EC conditions thereby ensuring environment sustainability.
- ii. In  compliance  of  the  Van  (Sanrakshan  evam  Samvardhan)  Adhiniyam,  1980, prior Forestry Clearance is also obtained from MoEF&CC, in case of projects involving forest land.
- iii. In case of Expansion Projects (for enhancement in Production Capacity and / or land  area)  prior  Environmental  Clearance  is  obtained  from  MoEF&CC  under Environment  (Protection)  Act  &  Rules,  1986,  EIA  Notification,  2006  and subsequent amendments.
- iv. After receipt of EC, Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) are  also  obtained  from  respective  State  Pollution  Control  Boards  under  Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act,1981 and Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act,1974.
- v. During implementation of the project, Six-monthly Environmental Compliance   Report  against  the  stipulated  EC  conditions  are  submitted  to MoEF&CC.
- vi. In  compliance  of  the  EC/  CTE/  CTO  conditions,  regular  environmental monitoring  with  respect  to  ambient  air  quality,  effluent  quality,  noise  level monitoring and ground water (both levels and quality) are monitored and reports are submitted to MoEF&CC / State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) / Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).
- vii. In compliance of the statute, Annual Environmental (Audit) Statement for the preceding financial year for each operating mine is submitted to respective SPCB on or before 30th September every year.
- viii. In compliance of EC and Consent conditions, various pollution control measures and  environment  sustainability  measures  are  undertaken  which  are  regularly augmented / strengthened.
- ix. Tree Plantation is done around the source of air pollution like mine, infrastructure and roads to reduce air pollution; Green belt has been provided around the mine as  well  as  residential  colony  for  noise  attenuation.  Avenue  plantation  i.e. plantation on the OB dumps, plantation around mines, residential colonies, and available land is undertaken in existing as well as new projects.
- x. Compensatory Afforestation (CA) as per the provisions Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 is complied  with and necessary fund deposited in  the  CAMPA  account  for  CA,  Soil  and  moisture  conservation  measures, plantation  in  safety  zone  etc.  Regular  monitoring  of  land  reclamation  is  also carried out through remote sensing technique (Satellite imagery).
- xi. Mine closure plan is an integral part of the project report for Coal mines. Goal is to achieve its coal production target sustainably and ensure land usage for future generations after final closure of the mine.

(c): Union Government is in collaboration with the coal-producing States to enhance coal availability and ensure an uninterrupted power supply to all States. To cater to the domestic  demand,  Government  has  formulated  and  finalized  a  long-term  production roadmap, wherein coal production of 1.5 Billion Tonnes by 2029-30 has been envisaged with commensurate offtake. With the increase in production and offtake, Government intends to fulfill most of domestic demand of Power Sector.

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