The Expert Appraisal Committee has recommended giving environment clearance for the expansion of Western Coalfields’ project in Maharashtra.
In its recommendation the EAC stated that the expansion plan should be given environmental clearance subject to fulfilment of conditions.
The conditions include planting of native plants, harvesting rain water, and provision for training manpower and setting up an environmental laboratory at the site, and submitting an Action Taken Report to the State Pollution Control Board. WCL proposes to expand the Pauni opencast mine from 0.72 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to 0.90 mtpa in an area of 255 hectares.