Impact of Opencast Coal Mining on Surface Topography in Salanpur Block, District Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal

By : Sangita Mahata , Vishwambhar Nath Sharma

Page No: 173-191

Abstract
The study is aimed at understanding the extent of topographic deformation due to opencast coal mining projects in Salanpur Blocks, District Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal, and suggests mitigation measures. Five major opencast mining projects namely Bonjemehari, Dabor, Sangramgarh, Mohanpur, and Dalmiya are covered in the case study. These coal mines featured large opencast quarries and associated spoil dump ridges. These coal mines have defaced the surface topography as the surface area covered by positive topography (spoil dump ridges) is less than the negative topography (opencast quarries). This paper shows that the deformation of surface topography is by far the most significant impact of mining among the various geo-environmental impacts. Land is our most important natural resource that needs to be tended carefully and requires proper conservation measures. In this study, various sources of secondary data and Primary data have been used to find out the extent of topographic deformation. The authors have used Remote sensing/Geographic Information System techniques for analyzing and interpreting Satellite data. The study suggests suitable mining dumping sites depending on multi-criteria analysis for disposal of mining spoil rather than dumping the material elsewhere.
 

Authors :
Sangita Mahata : Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) Geography, P.M. Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh
Vishwambhar Nath Sharma : Professor, Department of Geography, Institute of Science, B.H.U. Varanasi
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/ATNAGI.2024.44.01.11