Anvita Reddy Katipelly supervised by Dr. Radhika Krishnan received her Master of Science – Dual Degree in Computing and Human Sciences (CHS). Here’s a summary of her research work on A Comparative, Multi-scalar Analysis of Coal Mining in Manuguru and Development in Vemanpalle, Telangana:
Coal has been one of the most important fossil fuels for power generation since the Industrial Revolution and has driven many nations towards industrial development. In the immediate post-independence years, the geological abundance of coal in India was framed as a boon to indigenous industries and their development; coal was seen as an important raw material that would ensure the newly independent nation’s industrial self-reliance. Coal, in the form of thermal power generation, has fueled various critical sectors of the country, ranging from transportation to manufacturing, and has contributed to the economic growth of the nation. This interconnectedness also underscores the inseparability of coal and power generation. Over time, there has been an exponential surge in domestic consumption of power, from fueling industries to lighting up of homes, leading to an increase in demand for coal. Though there has been a surge of interest and viability of alternative greener energy production in India and globally through renewable sources, coal is still the go-to raw material, accounting for 73% of the country’s energy generation and 44% of the total energy consumed in 2021 [1]. Similarly, there has been a multifold increase in the per-capita electric power consumption in recent times, at 637 kWh in 2010 [2], which is one-fifth the global average, to 1255 kWh in 2021 [3], which is one-third of the global average. The burgeoning demand from both industries and public use of electricity has driven an increase in power generation, consequently increasing the demand for coal. While efforts are being made through the import of coal, there has also been a push to make the nation self-reliant. This has brought about significant reforms by the ministry, such as the opening up of new mines, mechanisation of existing mines, adoption of technologically advanced tools, and extractive open-pit mining, amongst other measures. These developments have had social, economic and environmental consequences. Like any other extractive industry, coal also carries with it a contentious reputation for disrupting the environment in which it occurs. Coal, its mining in particular, has an indisputable history of disrupting the social fabric, compromising public health, and disturbing the environmental equilibrium in its surroundings. These impacts can be profound and extend across generations leaving lasting scars on the landscape. The collateral damage caused by coal mining ranges from severe environmental issues such as air pollution, water contamination, and land degradation to social implications like displacement of indigenous communities, livelihood loss, and disruption of local landscape, all while fueling the development engine of the nation. This paradoxical nature of extractive mining can be described through the Resource Curse theory [4], wherein places rich in natural resources often experience economic challenges and political and social instability (Auty, 1993). This holds for coal mines around the world due to the similar nature v vi of the political economy surrounding coal. In India, the issue is magnified owing to the recent push towards an increase in indigenous production combined with the fact that coal-rich areas are inhabited by forest dwellers and people directly or indirectly reliant on land for sustenance. Despite its disruptive nature, coal mining continues to persist and proliferate due to the economic imperative of employment provision (however declining) and economic contribution. The push for an increase in indigenous production of coal, which is aimed at reducing the import, has forced all the existing mines to expand at an unprecedented pace and has spurred the opening up of new mines as well. Therefore, the changes happening in the vicinity of mining sites are also happening swiftly, and there is, thus, a need to keep track and account of them. While the expansion and opening up of every mine is contingent upon obtaining environmental clearance as part of the Environmental (Protection) Act 1986, of which the environmental and social impact assessments are a part of [5], many argue that these assessments lack efficacy and are often unreliable (Lahiri-Dutt, Krishnan & Ahmad, 2014). Moreover, the on-ground changes happening after the operation of a mine, like socio-cultural changes, cannot be accounted for beforehand and have to be analysed later on. Therefore, research into the socio-economic and environmental impacts is necessary. When analysed in-depth, choosing a specific study area will allow for a comprehensive understanding of the socio-economic and environmental dynamics in the context of coal mining. This allows for a more nuanced understanding of the complexities involved, and by localising the context, a multidimensional, accurate impact assessment can be done [6]. A temporal study of the study area is also viable in case of context limitation, which would give a bigger, better picture. Therefore, for the sake of this study, we have chosen Manuguru, a Mandal in the Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana, as the focal point to study the impacts of coal mining on its environs and broader milieu. The rationale behind choosing the study area is that it has been under the Coal Ministry’s radar as part of the national push in coal production [7]. Located in the Godavari coal belt, the area also presents a different coal mining backdrop as compared to where the majority of the literature on mining impacts is situated, which is Odisha, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh, leaving Manuguru as a somewhat uncharted territory in academic discourse. It would be useful to divert academic attention towards mineral extraction activities apart from those located in eastern and central India, thus providing an opportunity to study, compare and contrast as well as identify similarities and differences in social and ecological ramifications across regions. The need for this is also made evident from all the recent contestations in the area for various reasons, namely the repeated displacement of locals and the insufficient resettlement offered which is proof enough for how much of an impact coal has on the environs it occurs in [8]. The region has witnessed new mines opening on fertile agricultural land and expansions of existing mines, which has happened at a rapid pace. The area is also a good example of technological advancements in mining in the country, wherein underground mining has been replaced by open-cast mining, leaving permanent scars on the earth’s surface. Manuguru moreover presents a unique case of an environmentally and socially sensitive zone, with the majority of the land being ‘scheduled’ and governed by provisions protecting rights of Scheduled Tribes (STs). Apart from agricultural land, a significant proportion of vii the land is covered by deciduous forests. To investigate the unique impacts of mining in this region, we employed geospatial techniques, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing utilising satellite imagery. These techniques enabled us to track temporal changes in the area’s geography, allowing us to delineate significant landscape transformations. Additionally, we conducted field analysis to comprehensively understand the local realities and evolving changes in the social landscape. To study the changes observed in the coal-rich area of Manuguru and confirm their mining-induced nature, we have opted to conduct a comparable analysis for a non-mining study area. This would act as a baseline, serving as a reference point for assessing changes and impacts resulting from mining activities. For this purpose, Vemanpalli Mandal from the neighbouring Mancherial district of Telangana was chosen. Vemanpalli was chosen after considering the socio-demographic similarity of the regions, the ecological richness of dense deciduous forests, and the presence of a major river water source. The comparative analysis would focus on the changes in land use patterns in the area which would help understand the variations that mining is causing, which is generally expected to be drastic due to the nature of coal mining being disruptive to the existing usage patterns of land. Moreover, the extent of environmental degradation would also be compared in terms of air and water quality and availability since a degradation in both of these is expected in the vicinity of coal mines [9]. But more importantly the socio-economic indicators would be compared in terms of employment of the locals, income levels and health outcomes of the general public which would all serve as a proxy for comparing the standard of living of the coalfield communities which would help shed light on whether this particular area has been a victim of the ‘resource curse’ induced by the availability of coal. By conducting this holistic comparative analysis, we aim to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of coal mining on the environment in which it occurs and on the people in coal-rich regions, which could ultimately increase our understanding of the dynamics of mineral extraction, drive more ecologically and socially sustainable development efforts and help in informed policy decision-making processes.
November 2024