NEERI TO TAKE
UP EIA STUDIES FOR GEECL
The National Environmental Engineering
Research Institute (NEERI), of CSIR based at Nagpur is to undertake
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies in Raniganj coalfields,
West Bengal at the behest of the Great Eastern Energy Corporation
Ltd. (GEECL). NEERI will assess the potential environmental impact
and also prepare a report incorporating environmental management
plan. This is for preventing and minimising adverse impact on
the ecology in the area. Baseline environmental quality data for
air, water, noise, land, terrestrial ecology and socio-economic
status etc. already collected, will form the basis of identification,
prediction and evaluation of impact due to the proposed activity
of GEECL.
The Great Eastern Energy Corporation Ltd. proposes
to explore for the first time methane from coal-bed in the Raniganj
coalfields. The coal seams are said to have a depth of 1,100 mtrs.
Coal-bed methane (CBM), the natural gas contained in coal or bituminous
lignite beds under reservoir conditions, is considered a potential
source of energy as an alternative to conventional fuels like
coal, petroleum and fuel-wood.
Several investigative procedures applied for
de-gassification of deep coalmines for reducing the hazards have
led to the coming up of coal-bed methane industry. The technology
is also available now for safe extraction and commercial utilisation
of the coal-bed methane. The production of CBM by this technology,
considerably reduces the amount of methane vis-à-vis green
house gas being vented into the atmosphere, either through natural
process or mining operations.
