The government has issued stringent guidelines to address air pollution in existing coal mines across India, aiming for environmental protection and sustainable industrial growth. These measures encompass multiple aspects:
- The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification of 2006 mandates thorough environmental impact studies and the adoption of suitable Environmental Management Plans by project proponents.
- The coal mining standards, dated September 25, 2000, dictate specific standards within the core zones of existing and new mines.
- The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 2009 specify standards for the buffer zones surrounding the mines.
Coal Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) adhere to these governmental acts and policies, ensuring both industrial development and environmentally friendly practices during mining operations. Project proponents and mine owners are obligated to submit biannual compliance reports to the Central Government, State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), Pollution Control Committees (PCCs), and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has established environmental standards for coal mines. SPCBs/PCCs regulate industrial activities, enforce environmental standards, and have the authority to grant consent for establishment and operation.
Moreover, the Ministry of Coal has set up a Sustainability & Just Transition (S&JT) Division to oversee various activities for curbing air pollution in coal mines. These activities include bio-reclamation/plantation, dust suppression technologies, First Mile Connectivity projects, and the adoption of eco-friendly technologies.
Coal PSUs comply with environmental norms by obtaining prior Environmental Clearance (EC), Forestry Clearance (in case of forest land), and Consent to Establish/Operate from relevant authorities. They submit regular compliance reports, conduct environmental monitoring, implement pollution control measures, and share Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS) data for sustained monitoring.
Union Minister of Coal, Mines, and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Pralhad Joshi, provided this information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, underscoring the government’s commitment to combatting air pollution in coal mining while ensuring strict adherence to environmental norms and protocols.