IN A first-of-its-kind initiative in India, scientists have begun ‘Restoring Forests’ on abandoned opencast coal mines using a scientific ecological approach that goes far beyond conventional tree plantation. Under this special project, instead of merely increasing green cover, the project lays emphasis to revive biodiversity, improve soil health and recreate the ecological functions of natural forests. The ambitious restoration programme, funded by the Coal India Limited (CIL), is being implemented across coal-mining areas operated by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) and Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra states. As a matter of fact, these three states account for 18 of the 39 coal mine sites selected nationwide for ecological restoration studies. According to Dr Avinash Jain, Scientist-F and Head of the Forest Ecology & Climate Change Division, ICFRE-Tropical Forest Research Institute (TFRI), Jabalpur, the project has been launched under the direction of Dr Sanjeev Bhatia, National Project Coordinator of Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management (CoE-SLM). He described it as India’s first techno-scientific ecological restoration programme dedicated to restoring mined landscapes. Unlike traditional plantation drives, the project is designed to recreate entire ecosystems. Scientists have spent nearly two years studying soil characteristics, native vegetation, climatic conditions and biodiversity before preparing restoration plans for individual sites.

 

The idea is to restore landscapes according to their original ecological conditions rather than planting the same species everywhere. So far, 13 mining sites have been handed over to TFRI for restoration, with plantation activities already underway at 10 locations. The programme covers nearly 90 hectares, with each restoration site spread across about five hectares. The restoration model combines native trees, shrubs and grasses to resemble natural forests. Around 25 saplings and nine shrubs are being planted in each plantation block, while species selection varies according to local topography and agro-climatic conditions. On steep slopes, bamboo and other soil-binding species are being planted to prevent erosion, alongside rainwater harvesting measures to conserve moisture. To support the programme, TFRI has raised around two lakh quality saplings in its nursery. While each restoration site is expected to accommodate nearly 12,500 plants, researchers say the success of the project will not be measured by plantation numbers alone. Instead, they will monitor plant survival, soil improvement, biodiversity recovery and the gradual return of natural ecological processes.

 

Scientists believe the restored landscapes could eventually support wildlife, improve water conservation and even provide sustainable livelihood opportunities through medicinal plants, agroforestry and silvipastoral systems where suitable. As India continues to depend on coal for energy, the project offers a scientific roadmap for balancing resource extraction with environmental recovery. If successful, it could become a national model for transforming degraded mining areas into self-sustaining forest ecosystems.