Ecorestoration of degraded coal mines in India, present status and way forward for sustainable land management: A systematic review

Degraded coal mines in India pose significant ecological and socio-economic challenges, requiring urgent and evidence-based ecorestoration strategies. We conducted a systematic literature review using PRISMA and bibliometric analysis to identify research gaps and future directions for rehabilitating these degraded areas. The research literature was sourced from various databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, Crossref, JSTOR, and Google Scholar, using predefined keywords. The literature covered the last 30 years, resulting in 172 relevant studies that followed PRISMA guidelines. We identified five major groups that have worked extensively and made valuable contributions to this domain using the Biblioshiny tool in R Studio. The Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) analysis was performed to understand the major environmental indicators and causal factors that should be focused on while designing and implementing mine restoration for researchers and policymakers. We identified a set of strategies, including mechanical, chemical, and biological interventions, primarily used for the ecological restoration of coal mine-affected areas by reviewing and synthesizing the available literature. Results indicate that revegetation with native species, biochar, and microbe-assisted soil remediation, along with adopting community-based practices, are the most effective strategies. This study recommends long-term ecological studies that incorporate integrated approaches, such as climate-smart technologies, with scientific interventions that combine social, ecological, and economic aspects.