“In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development.” Discuss. (UPSC 2017)

Coal mining remains a difficult but necessary part of India’s development, supporting electricity, industry, jobs and revenue despite ecological harm.

• Why inevitable: Coal supplies reliable baseload power, meets a large share of energy demand, and drives sectors like steel, where coking coal is essential. It also supports rail freight and millions of livelihoods.
• Environmental costs: Mining causes deforestation, land degradation, methane release, air and water pollution, and health impacts, especially in open-cast coal belts.

India must therefore combine cleaner mining, strict clearances, reclamation, methane capture, coal washing and scientific mine closure with rapid expansion of renewables and a just transition to reduce future dependence.