“In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development.” Discuss.
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Environmental Conservation/ Energy Security
Topic: Environmental Conservation/ Energy Security
Q5. “In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development.” Discuss. (10M)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: PIB
Why the question: Ministry of Coal Unveils Ambitious Plan to Boost Coal Production Through Global Mining Operators Key Demand of the Question: Mention the dual role of coal mining in India—its contribution to development and energy security, alongside its significant environmental impact. Discuss why coal remains central to India’s energy strategy despite environmental concerns and assess the prospects and challenges of transitioning to renewable energy. Structure of the Answer: Introduction: Introduce India’s coal reserves and their importance in the energy sector. Mention the environmental concerns associated with coal mining. Body: Environmental Impact of Coal Mining: Mention pollution from mining waste and methane emissions. Mention the impact of underground mine fires and deforestation. Economic and Developmental Necessity: Mention coal’s role in providing cheap energy and its significance in electricity production. Mention the challenges faced by renewable energy sources in scaling up to meet energy demands. Future Prospects and Challenges: Mention the projected share of coal in India’s energy mix till 2040 and the slow growth of renewables. Mention the technological, economic, and infrastructural barriers to a renewable energy transition. Conclusion: Mention the inevitability of coal mining for India’s development in the near future, while emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that gradually integrates renewable energy to mitigate environmental damage.
Why the question:
Ministry of Coal Unveils Ambitious Plan to Boost Coal Production Through Global Mining Operators
Key Demand of the Question: Mention the dual role of coal mining in India—its contribution to development and energy security, alongside its significant environmental impact. Discuss why coal remains central to India’s energy strategy despite environmental concerns and assess the prospects and challenges of transitioning to renewable energy.
Structure of the Answer:
• Introduction: Introduce India’s coal reserves and their importance in the energy sector. Mention the environmental concerns associated with coal mining.
• Introduce India’s coal reserves and their importance in the energy sector. Mention the environmental concerns associated with coal mining.
• Environmental Impact of Coal Mining: Mention pollution from mining waste and methane emissions. Mention the impact of underground mine fires and deforestation. Economic and Developmental Necessity: Mention coal’s role in providing cheap energy and its significance in electricity production. Mention the challenges faced by renewable energy sources in scaling up to meet energy demands. Future Prospects and Challenges: Mention the projected share of coal in India’s energy mix till 2040 and the slow growth of renewables. Mention the technological, economic, and infrastructural barriers to a renewable energy transition.
• Environmental Impact of Coal Mining: Mention pollution from mining waste and methane emissions. Mention the impact of underground mine fires and deforestation.
• Mention pollution from mining waste and methane emissions.
• Mention the impact of underground mine fires and deforestation.
• Economic and Developmental Necessity: Mention coal’s role in providing cheap energy and its significance in electricity production. Mention the challenges faced by renewable energy sources in scaling up to meet energy demands.
• Mention coal’s role in providing cheap energy and its significance in electricity production.
• Mention the challenges faced by renewable energy sources in scaling up to meet energy demands.
• Future Prospects and Challenges: Mention the projected share of coal in India’s energy mix till 2040 and the slow growth of renewables. Mention the technological, economic, and infrastructural barriers to a renewable energy transition.
• Mention the projected share of coal in India’s energy mix till 2040 and the slow growth of renewables.
• Mention the technological, economic, and infrastructural barriers to a renewable energy transition.
• Conclusion:
Mention the inevitability of coal mining for India’s development in the near future, while emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that gradually integrates renewable energy to mitigate environmental damage.