Mining in Jharia Coalfield, Eastern India: An Estimation of its Impact Index

The Jharia Coalfield. throughout its past mmmg history, never had any well- thought-out regional master plan for mining, or any plans of environmental reclamation/ protection. As a result, the environment of this mining area is damaged by various undesirable impacts of mining, a major part of which was caused before nationalisation of coal mining industry in India. Some such impacts on land use and related features caused by mining and associated activities have been analysed and the overall impact index has been calculated through preparation of an impact matrix. The impact index, thus calculated through impact matrix, is considerably high and of a nagative value. The adoption of a land-use management plan is urgently needed.