Coal Ministry's Green Initiative: Vriksharopan Abhiyan 2024

Launch and Significance of Vriksharopan Abhiyan 2024

• Vriksharopan Abhiyan inaugurated on July 25, 2024, by Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy
• Part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign
• Simultaneous events held at 300 locations across 47 districts in 11 coal/lignite-bearing states

Key objectives:

• • Restore ecological balance through sustainable measures
  • Combat climate change
  • Reduce carbon footprint
  • Create a healthier environment for future generations

Achievements and Future Goals

On the day of launch:

• • Approximately 1 million saplings planted and distributed across coalfields

Past five years:

• • 24 million saplings planted on 10,942 hectares of land in and around coalfields

Future targets:

• • Cover 15,350 hectares under green cover in the next five years
  • 2,600 hectares targeted for the current fiscal year

Innovative techniques employed:

• • Miyawaki method
  • Seed balls
  • Drone technology

Participation and Implementation

BCCL (Bharat Coking Coal Limited):

• Main launch event held in Dhanbad
• Attended by senior officials and local representatives

NLCIL (NLC India Limited):

• Events organized in 14 places across 5 states (Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Odisha, Jharkhand, UP)
• Approximately 4,200 participants, including executives, employees, and school children
• 42,500 saplings planted and 92,500 distributed
• Total of 135,000 saplings planted and distributed by NLCIL on the day

Other Coal/Lignite PSUs:

• Active participation across various locations
• Commitment to environmental sustainability alongside increased coal production

Environmental Impact and Long-term Vision

• Contribution to India's net-zero target for 2070
• Enhancement of carbon sinks and promotion of biodiversity
• Transformation of barren landscapes into green areas
• Improvement of air and water quality in mining regions
• Alignment of economic growth with ecological preservation