Coal Resources in India: Production, Impacts, and Challenges

Coal Resources in India

Introduction

India is the world's fourth largest coal producer and the third largest importer of coal, making it a significant player in the global coal market. Coal is a crucial fuel resource in India, supplying around 70% of the country's electricity output and serving as a primary source of revenue and employment generation. However, the utilization of coal resources in India has led to concerns about their impact on human capital, livelihoods, and the environment.

Production and Consumption

India produced approximately 675.4 million metric tons of coal between 2017-2018, with Gondwana and Paleogene-Neogene age coal reserves. Despite this significant production volume, the gap between domestic supply and demand continues to grow at an alarming rate, necessitating increased coal imports. In 2017-2018 alone, India imported 232.9 million metric tons of coal. This reliance on imported coal has been attributed to several factors, including insufficient land for new mines, challenges in transport infrastructure, and lower costs of imported high-energy coal compared to domestic coal.

Livelihood Impacts

Coal mining activities have serious implications for the livelihood of local communities, particularly those living near opencast coalmines. These underprivileged sections, such as indigenous people like tribal communities, often bear the brunt of these adverse impacts. The burning of coal is also responsible for 46% of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, contributing significantly to climate change.

Challenges and Solutions

Addressing these issues requires addressing multiple aspects, from securing available land for new mines to improving transportation infrastructure and reducing dependency on foreign coal. For instance, the Indian government acknowledges the need to explore joint ventures between Coal India, Indian Railways, and various states to improve rail network connectivity. Furthermore, identifying vacant land for constructing new townships has proven challenging due to India's population growth and limited space availability.

In conclusion, while coal remains a vital resource for India's economic growth and development, it comes with numerous environmental and social challenges. Addressing these challenges will require concerted efforts from various stakeholders, including governments, industries, and local communities.