<tideeAbstracts><tideeAbs><RefNo>1935</RefNo><PublishYear>2003</PublishYear><Contributors>Saxena NC</Contributors><Affiliation>Centre of Mining Environment,<break />Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, India Renewable energy and environment</Affiliation><Source><italic>Minenvis</italic><break /><bold>37</bold>:1–8</Source><Title>Present social environment and future prospects for Jharia coalfield

TERI

TERI Information Digest on Energy and Environment

0972-6721

The Energy and Resources Institute

tidee-3-1-019

ABSTRACTS OF DISSERTATIONS OR ARTICLES

Fossil fuels and environment

32004

316464

<tideeAbstracts><tideeAbs><RefNo>1935</RefNo><PublishYear>2003</PublishYear><Contributors>Saxena NC</Contributors><Affiliation>Centre of Mining Environment,<break />Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, India Renewable energy and environment</Affiliation><Source><italic>Minenvis</italic><break /><bold>37</bold>:1–8</Source><Title>Present social environment and future prospects for Jharia coalfieldAn analysis of the present overall status, including the social status, of Jharia coalfield reveals that the society in the coalfield will continue to face constraints if suitable long-term measures are not planned and implemented urgently. It seems that about 75% of the total proved coal reserves worth about 8 550 000 million rupees are still available in the coalfield and if their exploitation with due regard to technological, social, environmental, and economic issues is not done, these may be lost. It has, therefore, been suggested that these coal reserves should be declared a national resource. In order to exploit the coal resource the most viable option seems to be overall opencasting with modern state-of-art resettlement and rehabilitation of the PAPs (project afflicted persons) to take care of their emotional, mental, and physical needs to achieve the desired quality of life. Even an expenditure of Rs 300 000 -500 000 million (about 3.51%-5.84% of the total value of coal still available) on this R&R (rehabilitation and resettlement) can be justified in view of the conservation of the national resource and overall development of the area. It has been suggested that a think tank be formed for developing an appropriate strategy for the long-term development of the coalfield. It is felt that the policy-makers, planners, and decision-makers at the state and central levels will be required to take bold decisions in the interest of not only the nation but also for the benefit of the society of the coalfield and the surrounding areas. (2 references)