NLC India Transforms Mined Land into Eco-Parks, Agriculture Zones and Water Resources

New Delhi, March 9, 2026: NLC India Limited (NLCIL), a Navratna Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Coal, Government of India, is setting benchmarks in sustainable mining and ecological restoration through large-scale reclamation of mined-out land across its lignite mining projects.

Through systematic environmental management, the company has converted overburden dumps and mined areas into green landscapes, eco-parks, water reservoirs and agricultural zones, demonstrating how industrial mining sites can be transformed into productive ecosystems.

Large-Scale Mine Reclamation Efforts

As of 28 February 2026, NLCIL reported a total mined-out area of 6,571 hectares, out of which:

• 3,236 hectares have been physically reclaimed

• 2,866 hectares have been biologically reclaimed

• 33.95 lakh saplings have been planted across mine areas

These initiatives have helped restore ecological balance while promoting biodiversity and community development.

Mine Areas Converted into Eco-Tourism Parks

Reclaimed land at the company’s Neyveli mines has been converted into eco-tourism destinations.

• The Mine-I Eco Tourism Park was inaugurated on 23 July 2020 during the Vriksharopan Abhiyan by former Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

• The Mine-II Eco Tourism Park was inaugurated on 19 August 2021 by Union Minister of Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi.

These parks feature:

• Artificial lakes with eco-friendly boating

• Landscaped gardens and orchards

• Bird-watching areas

• Deer enclosures

• Plant nurseries and mist chambers

• Agricultural fields on reclaimed land

The restored ecosystems now attract around 107 species of migratory birds, including:

• Asian Koel

• Black-headed Munia

• Black Kite

• Asian Paradise Flycatcher

To further boost tourism, NLCIL signed an MoU with Pondicherry Tourism Development Corporation in October 2022. The eco-tourism facilities were opened to visitors on weekends and holidays starting October 2, 2025.

Maru Udyan: A Desert Eco Park in Rajasthan

Another notable initiative is “Maru Udyan – A Desert Eco Park” developed at the Barsingsar project in **Bikaner district of Rajasthan.

The Barsingsar project integrates lignite mining, thermal power generation and solar energy production.

Rehabilitation activities began in 2016, with major ecological restoration starting in 2019, leading to the greening of nearly 40 hectares.

In 2024, Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy launched a plantation drive and laid the foundation for the eco park.

Today, Maru Udyan includes:

• Botanical gardens

• Flower galleries

• Children’s recreation facilities

• Water harvesting structures

• Eco-friendly rest huts for workers

The park hosts 21 species of trees, including:

• Khejri

• Neem

• Amaltas

• Shisham

Harnessing Mine Water for Community Benefit

The Neyveli mines receive about 1200 mm of rainfall annually. NLCIL has implemented an extensive mine water management and rainwater harvesting system to utilize this resource.

Key highlights:

• 88 water harvesting structures covering 191.458 hectares

• 550 lakh litres/day of treated mine water supplied to 40 villages for domestic and irrigation needs

• 425.10 lakh litres/day supplied through collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board

These efforts benefit 7.91 lakh residents across six town panchayats and 625 villages in Cuddalore district.

Turning Mining Waste into Construction Material

NLCIL is also implementing a “Wealth from Waste” approach by converting overburden material into manufactured sand (M-Sand).

Research conducted with Indian Institute of Technology Madras shows that 40–60% sand can be recovered from mine overburden.

Key milestones:

• OB to M-Sand plant at Mine-IA commissioned in January 2024 with capacity of 2.62 Lm³ per year

• Another plant at Mine-I commissioned in February 2026 with capacity of 6.25 Lm³ per year

This initiative supports sustainable construction while reducing environmental waste.

Reviving Soil and Promoting Hi-Tech Agriculture

NLCIL is also turning reclaimed land into productive agricultural zones.

Innovations include:

• Hydroponic cultivation in polyhouses with support from Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru

• Israeli drip irrigation technology for water-efficient farming

• Soil restoration through livestock-based organic manure

These methods have transformed previously barren overburden dumps into fertile farmland.

Expanding Environmental Initiatives

Since 2020, during the Vriksharopan Abhiyan, NLCIL has planted and distributed 6,45,000 saplings.

Other green initiatives include:

• Pothigai Herbal Park in Neyveli with 38 medicinal plant species

• Development of the Lignite Garden at Mine-II

• Establishment of the Lignite Sakthi Nagar Nursery in Barsingsar

NLCIL has also installed public sculptures made from scrap materials in cities such as:

• Chennai

• New Delhi

• Cuddalore

Driving India’s Sustainable Mining Vision

NLC India’s mine reclamation and ecological restoration initiatives align with the Government of India’s push for sustainable mining, environmental protection, and productive reuse of mined land.

By transforming mined landscapes into green ecosystems, water resources, tourism hubs and agricultural land, NLCIL demonstrates that industrial development and environmental conservation can coexist successfully.