The "forest application" under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 also require clarity on "mining leases", acquire under the Mines & Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957; Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition & Development) Act, 1957 or Coal Areas Special Provisions Act, 2015. The applicant is required to submit "lease covenant" of explain the absence of the document. Details of reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence, geological reports, geological or extractable reserves, opencast versus underground mining, phase-wise mining possible or not, land subsidence report in case of underground mines, mining plan - duly sanctioned by the Ministry of Coal of Indian Bureau of Mines or the State Government. Reclamation Plan along with maps, phase-wise technical and biological reclamation of mined-out areas, ultimate mine pit, if any. Safety Zone Management plan, Landscape Management Plan, etc. for consideration by the "Forest Appraisal Committee" (FAC) under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

1. Welcome to the
Presentation on
Reclamation Planning of Mined-out Areas with
special reference to coal mines
By
Ravindra Nath Saxena
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Managing Director,
M.P. State Forest Development Corporation,
Madhya Pradesh

2. Statutory provision for Mining Plan &
Reclamation Plan
• Mineral Concession Rules, 1960.
• Mineral Concession & Development Rules, 1988.
• Coal Mines Regulation.
• Mines & Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 2010.
• Section-2(ii), Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (Reclamation
Plan is not statutory provision).
• State Minor Mineral Rules are silent on reclamation
planning of mined-out areas.
Thoroughly study of sanctioned “Mining Plan” to prepare
“Reclamation Plan” – there is vital co-relationship
between two processes.

3. Forest Cover of India*
Sites with high potential
for MiningProjects, coal,
CBM, Also high vulnerability to
Schedule-VI areas, tribal
communities, FRA,
Ecologically Fragile Zones

4. Red indicates that a change in vegetation is projected at that grid in the
time-period of 2021-2050 and 2071-2100 (under A1B scenario). Green
indicates that no change in vegetation is projected by that period.
Climate Change and Forests
Vegetational changes projected by 2021-2050 and 2071-2100
Based on computer simulation models of National Remote Sensing Agency & ICFRE

5. Biodiversity Vulnerable Grids of India (marked red) in the A1B
scenario – for India - 2035 and 2085
Climate Change and Biodiversity
Vegetational changes projected by 2021-2050 and 2071-2100

6. Coal
Block
Study baseline data of district & project location, satellite Imagery
map depicting protected area, wildlife activity areas and
compensatory afforestation sites
Thoroughly study climatic and edaphic factors
before starting reclamation planning

7. Sample Plots & Biodiversity indexing
To carry-out biodiversity indexing to obtain baseline data
– Shannon Weiner Index and Importance Value Index

8. * N.B. Kind attention invited to blanks, under stocked and encroachments
Leave aside areas with High Ecological Index
and phased felling to reduce adverse impact

9. Phase-wise felling and reclamation planning
S.
No
.
Phase of
the
Project
Mine
progression
years
Area
(in ha.)
Felling operations Safety Zone &
Reclamation operations
1. Phase - I 0 to 5 594.19 Forest clearance in
594.19 ha.. No felling
in Phase-I except area
for incline, CHP, haul
roads, power line &
workshop etc. Likely
felling of 27498 trees.
Transplanting of
14877 trees.
Scrapping & stacking
of top soil.
Creation & development
of safety zone.
Transplanting of 60 cms
g.b.h. trees to Salka Power
Plant, water
impoundment, conveyor
belt, water & ash slurry
pipelines. Gabion
structure in Garjar nala.
Technical reclamation
starts in 3rd year.
2. Phase – II 6 to 10 296.30 Felling in 296.30 ha.
Likely felling of 27147
trees. Transplanting of
18571 trees.
Scrapping & stacking
of top soil.
Technical reclamation in
594.19 ha. Transplanting
of 60 cms g.b.h. trees to
Phase-I area after
technical reclamation &
partial biological
reclamation.

10. Diver
sion
Site
DISTRICT FOREST COVER MAP OF SURVEY OF INDIA
Buffer
Zone
Distance
from
protecte
d areas
Animal
Activity
Areas

11. Exhibit Location of important components, wildlife
migration routes & Tiger / Elephant Reserve Corridors
Coal Block located
at the fringe of
Hasdeo Arand
Power Plant
site

12. Maps and satellite imageries
Forest maps are vital for silviculture crop assessment and
determination of prescriptions for reclamation planning

13. Forest Satellite Imagery – only land-use discernible,
legal status cannot be ascertained
“Gap Light Analyser” is available for Crown Density
Determination. The forest crop should be analysed on crown
density, site quality, regeneration, Yield Table parameters,
Basal Area calculation based on Wedge Prism.

14. Tree Enumeration & Biodiversity Assessment
• Biodiversity indexing – Shannon-Weiner Index ,
Brillouin Index, Brillouin Eveness Index, Simpson’s
Index , Margalef Index, McIntosh's Measure of
Diversity, Berger-Parker Index etc.

15. Sample Plot Photographs for crown density and
basal area determination by Wedge Prism

16. Most threatened wildlife species - I
Use electrified fencing, if
required.

17. Most threatened wildlife species - II

18. Most threatened floral species - I

19. “Reclamation & Safety Zone Management Plan”
• Should having adequate prescriptions to take care of adverse
impact of mining on the site.
• The mine bock shall be protected against soil erosion, siltation of
adjoining water bodies by profuse deployment of Gabion
structures, retaining walls, geo-textiles to reduce soil erosion.
• With the passage of time (operation period 1 to 15 years) Gabion
structure shall be constructed on the vulnerable sides of the site to
stop any possible escape of overburden.
• The ultimate water body shall have depth of not more then 10
meters. The wall of this water body shall be strengthened by
“retaining walls”.
• The catchment area of this water body should be small.; thus there
would be no possibility of bursting of earthen dam even in
torrential rains. To take care of escape of silt an additional “Silt
Settling Pond” should be planned, to reduce probability of escape
of overburden.

20. Salient features of Safety Zone
S.
No.
Direction
Length of
safety zone
(in meters)
Width of
safety zone
(in meters)
Area for
treatment
(in ha.)
1. North - 7.5 -
2. East - 7.5 -
3. South - 7.5 -
4. West - 7.5 -
Total - -
The width of safety zone should be 50-100 meters
depending on vulnerability of the site

22. Diagrammatic presentation of progressive reclamation
planning, involving direct movement of top and sub-soil
(block numbers denote sequence of operations)

23. Storage of top humus rich soil

24. Technical reclamation of over-burden
dumps and terracing of slopes

25. Top soil separation, reclamation and
water management in over-burden
dumps.

26. Method of spreading top humus rich soil
over infertile sub-soil in opencast mining
operations.

27. Ultimate Mine Pit Plan showing OB Dump Area
Water
body
c
O B
Dumps

28. Revised Ultimate Mine Pit Plan showing OB Dump Area
O B
Dump

29. Phase-I operations in the coal block

30. Plate : RP-III
Map of Coal Block exhibiting opening of opencast mine in
Ist Year

31. S.
No
.
Phase
of the
Project
Mine
progress
ion
years
Area
(in ha.)
Felling operations Safety Zone & Reclamation
operations
3. Phase –
III
11 to 15 249.50 Felling in 249.50 ha.
Likely felling of
21901 trees.
Transplanting of
12158 trees.
Scrapping & stacking
of top soil. Selection
of 6 dumps for
storage of top soil.
Technical reclamation in 296.30
ha. Transplanting of 60 cms g.b.h.
trees to Phase-II area after
technical reclamation & partial
biological reclamation. Succession
Stage-II and III plantations in
Phase-I and II areas. Additional
Gabion structures creation on
East and West side of Block.
4. Phase –
IV
16 to 20 351.65 Felling in 351.65 ha.
Likely felling of
25355 trees.
Transplanting of
12225 trees.
Scrapping & stacking
of top soil in 6 dumps
already selected for
storage of top soil.
Technical reclamation in 249.50
ha. Transplanting of 60 cms g.b.h.
trees to Phase-II and III areas
after technical reclamation &
partial biological reclamation.
Succession Stage-II and III
plantations in Phase-II and III
areas. Additional Gabion
structures creation on East and
West side of Tara Coal Block.

32. Plate : RP-VI
Map of Coal Block exhibiting opening of opencast mine in
Ist Year and progression of mine upto Xth year

33. S.
No
.
Phase of
the
Project
Mine
progress
ion
years
Area
(in ha.)
Felling operations Safety Zone & Reclamation
operations
5. Phase – V 21 to 25 176.55 Felling in 176.55
ha. Likely felling of
7098 trees.
Transplanting of
5393 trees.
Scrapping &
stacking of top soil
in 6 dumps already
selected for storage
of top soil
Technical reclamation in 351.65
ha. Transplanting of 60 cms g.b.h.
trees to Phase-III and IV areas
after technical reclamation &
partial biological reclamation.
Succession Stage-II and III
plantations in Phase-II and III
areas. Additional Gabion
structures creation on East and
West side of Tara Coal Block.
6. Phase - VI 26 to 30 133.12 Felling in 133.12
ha. Likely felling of
8644 trees.
Transplanting of
6888 trees.
Scrapping &
stacking of top soil
in 3 dumps already
selected for storage
of top soil
Technical reclamation in 176.55
ha. Transplanting of 60 cms g.b.h.
trees to Phase-IV and V areas
after technical reclamation &
partial biological reclamation.
Succession Stage-II and III
plantations in Phase-IV and V
areas. Additional Gabion
structures creation on East and
West side of Tara Coal Block.

34. Plate : RP-VII
Map of Coal Block exhibiting opening of opencast mine in
Ist Year and progression of mine upto XXth year

35. S.
No.
Phase of
the
Project
Mine
progress
ion
years
Area
(in ha.)
Felling operations Safety Zone & Reclamation
operations
7. Phase-VII 31 to 35 - No felling or
transplanting
envisaged.
Technical reclamation in 133.12
ha. Transplanting of 60 cms
g.b.h. trees to Phase-V and VI
areas after technical reclamation
& partial biological reclamation.
Succession Stage-II and III
plantations in Phase-V and VI
areas. Planting of climax species
in Phase-V and VI areas. Creation
of water body, settling pond and
retaining walls.

36. Plate : RP-X
Map of Coal Block exhibiting final stage dump after
closure activities

37. Un-reclaimed Outer Slopes – Iron ore

38. Un-reclaimed Outer Slopes – Coal Mine

39. Over Burden Dump Planning and angle of repose
Contouring of outer OBD Angle of Repose

40. Drainage under contour
bunds and guiding
channel system
Drainage under multiple
vegetative hedge system

41. Stabilisation of
eco-restoration
and reclamation
of mined out
areas through
contour bunding
and vegetative
hedges.

42. Contour Bunding

43. Diagrammatic
illustration of use of
contour wattling,
mulching and coir-
netting for over-
burden dump
stabilization.
Very useful for reducing
flow of debris outside
mineral reserve

44. Loose rubble Gabion Structure
Silt filtering device

45. Strengthening of
rubble retaining
walls along
contours

46. Stabilisation of eroded areas, overburden
dumps and wastelands

47. The advance growth of 5th to 10th year may be shifted
to the technically reclaimed site of 0 to 5th year. And
this process shall be repeated for subsequent V-VI
phases as well. The technology for shifting of small trees
to short distance is available.
If rainfall range of 900-1500 m.m. available, the shifting
and survival of small trees shall not be a problem.

48. Contour Bunding on outer OBD

49. Use of geo-textile for surface stabilisation

50. Use of geo-textile for surface stabilisation

51. Use of geo-textile along with Stylosanthus scabra
and Acacia auriculiformis

52. Garland Canals to drain-off excess water

55. Flume Pipes to carry excess water from slopes

56. Bench Stabilisation

57. Successional planning in technically reclaimed OBDs
Phase-I Phase-II Phase-III Phase-IV Phase-V
Technical
reclamation –
staggered
trench,
reducing
angle of
repose to 200
Use of geo-
textile to
stabilize soil,
ripping for seed
anchorage.
Planting of
pioneer species
of succession
Planting of secondary species of
succession.
Decay of geo-textiles
Planting of
tertiary
species of
succession
Planting /
transplanting of
climax species of
succession
No biological
reclamation
Start of biological
reclamation –
plantation of
species like
grasses, cacti,
soil binder
species, nitrogen
fixing species,
Azectobactor
Agave americana, Dodonea viscose,
Clitoria ternatea, Jasminum
auriculata, Gmelina philippensis,
Ipomoea palmata, Tecomaria
capensis, Allamanda cathartica,
Vallaris solanacea, Thunbergia
humile, Jasminum grandiflorum,
Banisturia chinensis, Cestrum
nocturnum, Jasminum grandiflorum,
Stigmaphylla ciliatum, Tecoma
grandiflora, Antigonon leptopus,
Adanocalymna allicea, Pasiflora
edulis, Bignonia venusta,
Beaumontia grandiflora, Aristodicatia
orniltrocephala, Aristolochia indica,
Ipomea pes-tigridis, Argenia
speciosa, Asparagus racemosus,
Bougainvillea spectabilis, Canavilia
insitormis
Emblica
officinalis,
Prosopis
juliflora,
Albezzia
lebbek,
Glaricidia sp.,
Cassia simea
Azadirachta indica,
Adina cordifolia,
Terminalia
tomentosa,
Terminalia arjuna,
Shorea robusta,
Boswellia serrata,

58. Grassland Development

59. 59
Techniques of Sal Regeneration
The technique for Sal regeneration is available on these three counts:
A. Technique for direct seed sowing of Sal seeds have been
developed by J.P. Sharma et al (refer Indian Forester, 2004; the
Sal trees developed by this techniques can be seen at Ambikapur
nursery, Ramanujganj Road, Ambikapur, district Surguja, C.G.).
B. The technology of direct sowing of Sal seeds in polypot in nursery
is also available. The Korba Forests Division and certain private
coal mine operators have carried out Sal plantations in mined
out area of their mine.
C. Recently Jharkhand Forests Department has developed technique
for developing “Clonal Sal Seedlings”. This methodology is based
on the lines of Eucalyptus Clonal Seedlings. In this methodology
selected Sal trees are felled and allowed to develop coppice
shoots, then these coppice shoots are harvested and 3” to 4”
long cuttings are placed in polypots or root trainers for
development of roots along with application of rooting
hormone. This methodology has got success rate of about 40%.

60. 60
Assisted Sal Regeneration
Site Ambikapur Nursury, Distt. Surguja, Chhattisgarh. Sal Crop raised in 1984-85

61. 61
Sal Plantation
Rajgamar Plantation, Korba Range, Korba Division, Chhattisgarh

62. 62
Sal Plantation
Site Chotia Mine, Hasdeo- Arand Coalfield, Distt. Korba, Chhattisgarh

63. Eco friendly approach
o Adherence to latest Eco-friendly technology – Surface Miner
o Phase-wise felling to reduce adverse ecological impact .
Transplanting of trees to reduce genetic losses.
o Sequential mining
o Transportation through belt conveyors.
o Scientific Void Management - Internal dumping will start after 3rd
year i.e. no external dumping from 4th year onwards with effective
top soil management.
o Effective Top soil Management
o Planned felling of trees & afforestation
o Progressive mine closure.
o Entire area shall be reclaimed with in lease period with formation
of multi-tier climax forest community.
o Landscape planning
Forests & Wildlife Management
1. Simultaneous Compensatory Afforestation (153trees to replace 1
tree felled)
2. Wildlife Habitat Conservation & Management Plan for 10 years.

64. Transplantation of middle aged trees

65. Silt Settling Ponds

66. Ultimate Mine Pit

67. Succession in Reclamation Planning

68. Climax Reclamation