In line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visionary initiative, “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,” SECL, a subsidiary of Coal India located in Chhattisgarh, has made significant strides in environmental conservation by planting an impressive total of 146,675 saplings across its operational regions in both Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
This initiative is part of a larger nationwide plantation campaign launched in July 2024 by Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, which encompasses all coal public sector undertakings (PSUs) across India. SECL’s extensive plantation drive reached eight districts in Chhattisgarh and three districts in Madhya Pradesh, covering more than 56 hectares of land.
In addition to planting saplings, the company distributed 25,000 saplings to communities living near its mining sites, thereby promoting a sense of environmental responsibility among local residents and fostering community involvement in sustainability efforts.
The plantation activities under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative were further bolstered through participation in the 2024 “Swachhata Hi Seva” campaign, which emphasizes cleanliness and sanitation. As part of this cleanliness drive, SECL planted an additional 4,200 saplings, demonstrating its commitment to not only environmental conservation but also to enhancing public hygiene and community well-being.
Notably, SECL’s Kusmunda mine, recognized as the world’s fourth-largest coal mine, achieved a remarkable milestone by planting 501 saplings in a single day. This event commemorated the achievement of producing 501 lakh tons (50 million tons) of coal during the fiscal year 2023-24, illustrating SECL’s balanced approach to fulfilling the nation’s energy demands while prioritizing environmental preservation.
Looking ahead, SECL has outlined plans to invest ₹169 crores over the next five years to support extensive plantation initiatives in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Collaborating with the Rajya Van Vikas Nigam, the company has set an ambitious goal to plant over 2.6 million saplings in Chhattisgarh and 1.2 million in Madhya Pradesh between the years 2023-24 and 2027-28.
Furthermore, this initiative includes a comprehensive four-year maintenance period for each batch of saplings, ensuring their healthy growth and long-term survival. To enhance its afforestation efforts, SECL has adopted the innovative Japanese Miyawaki technique, which is designed to facilitate rapid green cover development.
A pilot project implementing this technique has already been initiated over an area of 2 hectares in the Gevra Area. Since its inception, SECL has successfully planted over 3 crore saplings across its operational coal belts, reaffirming its steadfast commitment to environmental sustainability. By integrating these various initiatives, SECL aims to lead the way in corporate environmental responsibility, demonstrating that industrial growth and ecological conservation can go hand in hand.
South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) is a prominent coal-producing company based in Chhattisgarh, India, and a subsidiary of Coal India Limited. Established in 1985, SECL is dedicated to providing high-quality coal to meet the country’s energy needs while prioritizing sustainable practices. The company actively engages in various environmental initiatives, including extensive plantation drives and community development programs.
