Defunct coal mines to green spaces: Telangana takes the lead; ecology, livelihood, restoration in focus
HYDERABAD: The Union ministry of coal and mines on Thursday signed MoUs with the Heartfulness Foundation to restore closed coal mines into green spaces and promote sustainable livelihoods . The initiative will be taken up at four locations - Singareni in Telangana (in partnership with Singareni Collieries Company Limited), Dhanbad in Jharkhand, Damua in Madhya Pradesh, and Kachchh in Gujarat.
The agreements were signed at Kanha Shanti Vanam on the outskirts of Hyderabad, the headquarters of Heartfulness.
As part of the plan, Heartfulness will provide resources and technical support to restore the ecological balance at former mining sites. This includes developing green cover, controlling hazardous gases, improving soil health, and creating livelihood opportunities for communities dependent on mining.
The initiative aligns with the ministry's RECLAIM framework, a community engagement and development model for mine closure and repurposing. It follows a step-by-step process of Reach-out, Envision, Co-design, Localise, Act, Integrate, and Maintain.
"We are committed to restoring the closed mine sites. It is time to give back to nature," said union minister for coal and mines G Kishan Reddy. "The govt mandates scientific and sustainable closure of mines to bring back economic and environmental value," he added.
The agreements were signed at Kanha Shanti Vanam on the outskirts of Hyderabad, the headquarters of Heartfulness.
As part of the plan, Heartfulness will provide resources and technical support to restore the ecological balance at former mining sites. This includes developing green cover, controlling hazardous gases, improving soil health, and creating livelihood opportunities for communities dependent on mining.
The initiative aligns with the ministry's RECLAIM framework, a community engagement and development model for mine closure and repurposing. It follows a step-by-step process of Reach-out, Envision, Co-design, Localise, Act, Integrate, and Maintain.
"We are committed to restoring the closed mine sites. It is time to give back to nature," said union minister for coal and mines G Kishan Reddy. "The govt mandates scientific and sustainable closure of mines to bring back economic and environmental value," he added.
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