Land degradation and ecological restoration in central India: A geospatial and machine learning analysis of coal mining impacts

Abstract

Coal mining, particularly open-cast mining, has become a critical industry to meet India's growing energy demands, contributing significantly to the country's economic growth. However, this industrial expansion has come at a considerable environmental cost, particularly in the Korba region, where coal mining has drastically altered land use and land cover (LULC) patterns. Extensive land degradation (LD), habitat destruction, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss have been observed, with forested and agricultural lands being converted into mining sites and urban settlements. Despite some reclamation efforts, these environmental impacts continue to outpace restoration initiatives. The current study addresses the lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the scale of LULC changes caused by coal mining in the Korba region from 1995 to 2024. It also highlights the insufficient effectiveness of existing reclamation strategies in restoring degraded landscapes. Using remote sensing data, including NDVI, NDBI, NDMI and geospatial analysis, the study quantifies the extent of LD and evaluates the environmental vulnerability through the Land Degradation Vulnerability Index (LDVI). The results reveal a sharp decline in forest cover, from 35.56 % in 1995 to 14.06 % in 2024, and a significant increase in coal mining areas and wastelands. The transformation of natural landscapes into industrial zones had severe implications for ecological services, including reduced water retention, increased soil erosion, and depleting diversity. Additionally, the assessment of current reclamation practices indicates that while some plantations have been established, they have not been sufficient to reverse the overall trend of environmental degradation. Study targeted eco-restoration strategies to ensuring long-term ecological recovery in coal-mined regions, focusing on reintroducing native and resilient plant species, improving soil stabilization techniques, and integrating socio-economic factors to benefit local communities.