Landuse and Land Protection in Mining Areas- A Case Study in Jharia Coalfield

Some countries have enacted specifiic legislations for landuse management in mining areas. The position in India is causing serious concern and the Government has taken active interest to control land degradation. One among various protective measures taken in India is aforestation, because, green-belts, other than agriculture, have enviornmental utility. Landuse management in mining areas is concerned mainly with environmental degradation due to mining, the focal subject being waste disposal and quarry and goaf filling.

Landuse management schemes taken up by some mining areas in India have been discussed. As a specific case, the Jharia Coalfield has been studied in detail. A landuse map of the area has been prepared based on study of aerial photographs and maps. The landuse management scheme suggested in India has not yet been properly implemented. Some steps to help the rapid development of the scheme has been suggested.