Development and Environment Must Go Together
World Moves toward Eco-Protection; India Must Advance Further
Natural Calamities Reflect Environmental Damage
MoEF&CC Expert Appraisal Committee Chairman Sri Inder Pal Singh Matharu at
National Workshop on Coal Mining and Environmental Sustainability
Singareni Highlights Major Eco-Friendly Mining Initiatives: CMD N. Balram
HYDERABAD, DECEMBER 02, 2025: Sustainable coal mining and progress are possible only when development and environmental protection go together, and neglecting the environment for the sake of development is no longer an option, said Sri Inder Pal Singh Matharu, Chairman of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. He was participating as the chief guest at the national-level workshop on “Coal Mining and Environmental Sustainability,” organized by Singareni Collieries in Hyderabad on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion, he stated that countries across the world are prioritizing environmental conservation, while India still needs to progress further in that direction. He warned that human-induced environmental damage is triggering natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, melting of polar ice caps, and the retreat of Himalayan glaciers. He urged experts participating in the workshop to arrive at strong resolutions on how mining can be carried out while giving maximum importance to environmental protection.
Guest of Honour, EAC Member Secretary Sri Sundar Ramanathan, noted that although certain environmentally friendly practices are already being implemented in mining, these measures must be expanded further.
SCCL CMD N. Balram stated that Singareni has always conducted mining operations strictly following the guidelines laid down by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. He explained that, the company has implemented several eco-friendly initiatives, including setting up sand manufacturing plants from overburden, mist spraying systems, and dry fog dust suppression methods to control air pollution. He added that SCCL has established solar power plants and is also working on pumped storage projects, green hydrogen, and geothermal energy facilities.
He further informed that in the thermal power project, Singareni has initiated a pilot plant to capture carbon dioxide from flue gas and convert it into methanol. To enhance groundwater levels, SCCL has constructed 62 new tanks and desilted 45 existing tanks as part of the “Neeti Binduvu–Jala Sindhuvu” water conservation programme. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to ensuring that mining activities progress without disturbing ecological and environmental balance.
The workshop was attended by representatives from various coal companies across India and eminent environmental experts including Sri Lalit Kapur, Dr. Umesh Jagannathrao Kahalekar, Dr. Santosh Kumar Hampannavar, Sri S. Chandrasekhar, Sri K.B. Biswas, Prof. Shyam Shanker Singh, Dr. Vinod Agarwal, Sri Mahipal Singh, Dr. Rajesh Prasad Rastogi, Sri Tarun Kathula, Sri N. Jyothi Kumar, and Sri K. Laxma.
Director (P&P) Sri K. Venkateswarlu explained the objectives of the workshop. The event was also attended by Director (Operations) Sri L.V. Suryanarayana, ED (Coal Movement) Sri B. Venkanna, GM (Coordination) Sri T. Srinivas, GM (CPP) Sri Manohar, GM (Environment & Forestry) Sri Saidulu, corporate GMs, area GMs, and other officials.
A total of seven technical sessions were conducted at the workshop. The discussions mainly focused on forest land diversion, mine reclamation, biodiversity conservation activities, groundwater balance and related precautions, legal frameworks, and responsibilities of mining organizations.
