BCCL Launches Massive Tree Plantation Drive Under Jharia Master Plan
BCCL CMD Manoj Kumar Agarwal said the plantation drive, being undertaken under the guidance of the Ministry of Coal and in accordance with Coal India's guidelines
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Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), in collaboration with the Forests by Heartfulness Foundation, has launched a massive tree plantation drive under the Jharia Master Plan to promote ecological restoration, land reclamation and environmental conservation in mining-affected areas.
The launch ceremony was organised at the Gopalichak Hindi Bhawan campus in the PB Area. BCCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director Manoj Kumar Agarwal attended the programme as the chief guest and formally inaugurated the campaign by planting a sapling.
Director (Finance/HR) Rajesh Kumar, Director (Technical/Project & Planning) Anand Mohan, General Manager (JMP) Arvind Kumar Sinha, General Manager (PB Area) Deepak Kumar Singh, senior officials from Coal Bhawan headquarters and PB Area, representatives of the Forests by Heartfulness Foundation and a large number of local residents participated in the programme.
The participants planted saplings and reaffirmed their commitment to environmental protection, expansion of green cover and collective responsibility towards nature.
Addressing the gathering, BCCL CMD Manoj Kumar Agarwal said the plantation drive, being undertaken under the guidance of the Ministry of Coal and in accordance with Coal India’s guidelines, represents an important step towards restoring ecological balance in mining-affected areas, particularly the fire-affected Jharia region.
He emphasised that expanding green cover, reclaiming degraded land and restoring natural ecosystems are essential components of sustainable development. Well-planned plantation programmes involving local communities would help improve environmental quality, conserve biodiversity, control pollution and strengthen natural resources.
Agarwal further said that the campaign places equal emphasis on environmental protection, community participation and economic empowerment. Plantation and sapling maintenance activities are expected to generate employment opportunities for local residents, while contributing to their livelihoods and socio-economic development.
Under the first phase, BCCL has set a target of planting more than 12,000 saplings across over 10 acres of mining-affected and unused land in its PB and Bastacolla areas.
The campaign aims to increase green cover in fire-affected and mining areas while promoting ecological restoration. Apart from large-scale plantation, special emphasis will be placed on the survival, maintenance and protection of saplings.
The initiative is expected to improve air quality, reduce dust and pollution, prevent soil erosion and strengthen local biodiversity.
A wide variety of indigenous and regionally suitable tree species are being planted, including wood apple, siris, saptaparni, custard apple, jackfruit, neem, palash, amaltas, shisham, peepal, mahua, mango, maulshree, mulberry, harsingar, amla, guava, sandalwood, safflower, jamun, tamarind, arjun, baheda, plum and mahogany.
The diversity of species is intended to enrich the local ecosystem. Fruit-bearing trees will provide food sources for birds and animals, while native and shade-giving species will contribute to soil conservation, biodiversity and environmental balance.
The plantation drive under the Jharia Master Plan reflects BCCL’s commitment to integrating environmental restoration with its mining operations. With the support of the Forests by Heartfulness Foundation and active participation of local communities, the initiative seeks to transform mining-affected areas into greener and more sustainable landscapes.
