Koriya/Surajpur (Chhattisgarh) [India], June 5 (ANI): South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) is setting a remarkable example of sustainability by effectively utilizing mine water to irrigate over 3,000 hectares of land near its collieries, resulting in a doubling of farmers’ income in the region.
SECL’s innovative ‘Mine Water Utilization’ initiative channels seepage water from its underground and open-cast mines to nearby villages for agricultural use. This move aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of sustainable development, ensuring that water from mining operations supports local farming communities.
SECL Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) Harish Duhan highlighted the impact of this project, stating that the use of mine water has significantly reduced farmers’ dependence on the monsoon, enabling them to cultivate two crops annually and substantially increase their earnings. Besides paddy, farmers are now also cultivating horticultural crops using this water.
Dilip Bobde, Area General Manager (AGM) of Bhatgaon, explained the process: groundwater naturally seeps into the mines during operations, which is then collected and treated after receiving approval from the Central Ground Water Board. The water is first used inside mines for dust suppression, machinery, and safety measures, with surplus water being supplied to surrounding villages via canals for irrigation.
According to Bobde, approximately 3,000 hectares near the Navapara mines and another 300 hectares close to the Jagannathpur open-cast mines are irrigated using this treated mine water. He described this as a “win-win situation,” with a positive impact on farmers’ economic conditions.
Bidya Nath Jha, AGM of Baikunthpur area, added that SECL has sought permission from the District Collector to use mine water for community purposes, including drinking and agriculture, and is prepared to fund this effort through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or other means.
Local farmers have welcomed the initiative. Budhram Rajwade from Latori village noted that before mine water supply began, agriculture relied solely on rainfall. The introduction of mine water through canals has ended this dependence, benefiting 7-8 villages and improving farmers’ livelihoods. Ganesh Ram Rajwade shared that crop damage due to scanty rainfall is now a thing of the past, with farmers successfully growing double crops as well as horticultural produce.
This sustainable approach not only supports agricultural productivity but also demonstrates how mining operations can contribute positively to community welfare. (ANI)
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