Promoting Eco-Tourism in mining areas

Mining areas, after exhaustion of coal reserves, offer good potential for promoting tourism by developing eco-parks, sites for water sports, underground visits, golf grounds, avenues for recreation, adventure, bird watching etc. Over the years, Coal/Lignite PSUs have developed more than 30 eco-parks by undertaking sustainable mine closure practices. These mining sites are now stable, environmentally sustainable and present a very beautiful site aesthetically.

Gunjan Park of ECL – An OC mine turned into a beautiful Eco-Park with water body
Gunjan Park of ECL – An OC mine turned into a beautiful Eco-Park with water body
Saoner Park of WCL with several features including a mine museum
Saoner Park of WCL with several features including a mine museum

     

Mine-I Eco Park in NLCIL: Inauguration during VriksaropanAbhiyan 2020
Mine-I Eco Park in NLCIL: Inauguration during VriksaropanAbhiyan 2020
Mine-I Eco Park in NLCIL: Boating facility
Mine-I Eco Park in NLCIL: Boating facility

Some of these sites have already been integrated with local tourism circuit and coal companies are consulting the respective State tourism departments for integration of other parks. These sites are expected to generate revenue for self-sustenance and create employment potential for local people.

•    NLCIL signed MOU with Pondicherry Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) on 05.10.2022 to promote eco-tourism at Mine-I and Mine-II and showcase sustainable mining activities.

•    NCL signed MOU with Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board to boost Singrauli Eco-Tourism Circuit.

• WCL signed MOU with Directorate of Tourism, Maharashtra to promote Eco-tourism.

Development of eco-parks/tourism sites to promote mine tourism is one of the key thrust areas of SDC & JT Section of MoC and coal companies. Coal/Lignite PSUs have completed 8 eco-parks in last 3 years. In coming 4-5 years, it has been envisaged to create 30 new eco-parks/tourism sites. The sites for eco-parks have been identified and process has already been initiated by coal companies. 

Inauguration of Mudwani Dam Eco Park
Inauguration of Mudwani Dam Eco Park

Foundation stone of 2 Eco-parks: - 

 1.Jhanjra Eco-Park of ECL in Pachim Bardhaman, West Bengal

2.Chandrashekhar Azad Orient UG No. 4 Eco-Park of MCL in Jharsuguda, Odisha

Children Park at Mine-II
Children Park at Mine-II
Foundation Stone laying at Jhanjra Eco Park
Foundation Stone laying at Jhanjra Eco Park
Foundation Stone laying at CS Azad Orient Eco Park
Foundation Stone laying at CS Azad Orient Eco Park 

Eco-Park developed at GauthamKhani OC by SCCL
Eco-Park developed at GauthamKhani OC by SCCL 

Open gym developed in BalgangadharTilak eco-park at Jhurrey in WCL
Open gym developed in BalgangadharTilak eco-park at Jhurrey in WCL