Protests in Chhattisgarh

Protests in Chhattisgarh Over Coal Mining

• Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL) coal mining project in Chhattisgarh has sparked a controversy due to its impact on the environment and local communities.
• Mining in the region will lead to the loss of about 8 lakh trees of the Sal forests in Hasdeo Aranya. This will end up affecting the catchment of the Hasdeo river.
• The mines have destroyed grazing land for cattle, affected the groundwater level, and the blasting has loosened the earth around borewells, and tube wells people had been using for minor farming.

About Coal :-

• It is a type of fossil fuel found in the form of sedimentary rocks and is often known as ‘Black Gold’.
• The leading coal producers of the world include China, US, Australia, Indonesia, India.

Distribution of Coal in India

• Found in Damodar (Jharkhand-West Bengal), Mahanadi (Chhattisgarh-Odisha), Godavari (Maharashtra), and Narmada valleys.
• Top States in terms of total coal reserves in India are Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh

Classification of Coal 

• Anthracite (80 – 95% carbon content, found in small quantities in J&K).
• Lignite (40 to 55% carbon content, high moisture content and is found in Rajasthan, Lakhimpur (Assam) and Tamil Nadu).
• Peat (less than 40% carbon content and it is in the first stage of transformation from organic matter (wood) to coal).

Practice Questions for Prelims

Consider the following statements:
1. Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury.
2. Coal fired power plants release sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen into the environment.
3. High ash content is observed in India coal.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans. d)

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