Revision summary
Coal still backs Indian electricity and several heavy industries. Mine belts depend on royalties and jobs, which ties regional development to the pit. Open-cast and burning cause forest loss, pollution, displacement, and carbon. Inevitability is about the present energy mix, not a permanent licence. Washing, norms, reclamation, and a just shift to other power must cut the harm.
Model answer
Flow diagram
flowchart TD C[Coal mining] --> P[Power steel cement jobs] C --> H[Forest water air CO2] P --> D[Present development] R[Renewables storage] --> T[Lower coal share] H --> T
Conclusion
- Keep coal for residual baseload and hard-to-abate industry while closing the worst mines and plants first.
- Fund alternative livelihoods in coal belts so development does not mean only more extraction.
Coal mining remains hard to drop overnight because power, steel, and regional fiscs still run on it. Development that ignores the environmental bill is false development; the honest path is a time-bound, cleaner, smaller coal role, not a denial of either harm or present need.
Quick related
Students also ask
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In what way can floods be converted into a sustainable source of irrigation and all-weather inland navigation in India? (250 words).
Next question on this syllabus topic (2017 · Q16). View answer →
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Can India shut all coal mines at once?
Not without blackouts and a shock to steel, cement, and mine-town income. The debate is about pace and cleaner use, not a magic stop.
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Is cleaner coal enough?
It cuts local pollution per tonne. Climate and forest loss still require a falling share of coal over time.
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