Korba’s coal reserves to be exhausted in 25 yrs: iFOREST

India’s biggest coal producing district Korba has coal reserves for the next 20-25 years only, said International Forum for Environment, Sustainability and Technology (iFOREST), a Delhi-based environmental research group in its detailed report.

The report said, all the three major coal mines of

Korba Gevra, Deepika and Kusmunda mines will become non-functional within 30 years.

While interacting with media in Raipur on Friday, Chandra Bhushan, President and CEO, iFOREST said that “the biggest impact in Korba will be felt by more than 85,000 workers engaged for livelihood in coal mining and coal-based industry such as thermal power plants, road transportation, coal washery, etc.”

The report underlines Korba is highly dependent on the coal industry for jobs and growth. Over 60 per cent of Korba’s GDP and one-in-five jobs are from coal mining and coal- related industries.

Considering the socio-economic conditions, declining coal reserves and unprofitable coal mines, and to counter its negative impacts, the district required, energy transition, propelled by the fast-growing and cost-competitive renewable energy sector, Chandra Bhushan said. Therefore, a report - Korba: Planning a Just Transition for India’s Biggest Coal and Power District – was presented before the Chhattisgarh government.

The report stressed that if the government wants to keep pace of development uninterrupted, the district must adopt and start transition planning immediately.

“The transition is not only for a district, but also for an economic system, which has an impact on other parts of the state as well,” he added.