Impact of Coal Mining on Environment: A Study of Raniganj and Jharia Coal Field in India

Coal mining adversely affects the eco-system as a whole. On the unstable earth; the unresting mankind constantly uses a variety of resources for their daily lives. Coal is recognized to have been the main source of energy in India for many decades and contributes to nearly 27% of the world’s commercial energy requirement. Coal is mainly mined using two methods – surface or "opencast" and underground mining. The geological condition determines the method of mining. Coal mining is usually associated with the degradation of natural resources and the destruction of habitat. This causes invasive species to occupy the area, thus posing a threat to biodiversity. Huge quantities of waste material are produced by several mining activities in the coal mining region. If proper care is not taken for waste disposal, mining will degrade the surrounding environment. The method of waste disposal affects land, water and air and in turns the quality of life of the people in the adjacent areas. This paper throws light on the burning issues of coal mines and its impact on the environment