Impact of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Mining on

Biodiversity & Climate In Korba & Raigarh District In

Chhattisgarh

Neeraj ParasharPrtyancha Education & Welfare

Society, Bhopal(Research paper read in Feb, 2010, at

International Conference on “Land-Water Resources, Biodiversity and Climate Change” at BSSS College, Bhopal)

Acknowledgements Ekta Parishad Centre for Science and Environment Adarsh Navyuvak Mandal Mrs. Ritu Ghosh, UNDP, MPCG. Kelo Pravah, Local Newspaper Community leaders of Korba and Raigarh

AbstractIn order to sensitize the critical issue of Coal Bed Methane Mining

Project in Korba and Raigarh of Chhattisgarh, this research work was conducted by Neeraj Parashar, Prtyancha Education and Social Welfare Society, an NGO, in association with, local NGOs of Korba and Raigarh like Ekta Parishad. This study highlights present and possible affects of

CBM project through qualitative and quantitative assessment of secondary data like EIA report submitted in Union Ministry of

Environment and Forest (MoEF) and its own ground observations. Key findings of the study, on the basis of globally accepted parameters of

climate change and biodiversity, precisely indicates the existence/possibility of critical factors which further lead to risk of public

health, contamination of soil, water and air, climate change and damage to biodiversity of Korba and Raigarh district. This study aims to

draw attention of government and environmental agencies towards such toxic development and its long term impact on a large number of population. It will also give an academic conformation of the efforts of

community protest for this CBM project. This paper compiles all the aspects of this project and stakeholders response which it can cover in 1

month of study and 5 member team.

Contents Acknowledgements Abstract Background of the

problem Purpose of the study Significance of the

study Research Question Demographics

Hypothesis Testing Key Findings Methodology Annexure Bibliography Glossary

Introduction & Background of the Problem

Tribal Population of Korba and Raigarh residing in the Nationalized resources (Mines and Forest) having are at risk of conventional forest based living, similarly agro-based

rural population have also started to migrate owing to loss of soil fertility and contamination of water due to extensive mining.

For the last 70 years in both the regions Raigarh and Korba district coal bed mining is undergoing but, with replacement of gas as fuel over oil, has opened a new phase

of imperialistic exploitation, where local population have to involuntarily sacrifice public health and their natural resources on the name of national interest, against

which no rehabilitation mechanism supports them in misery, resulting in revolts like naxalism and instances of Mass Migration and Calamities. This study tries to highlight the eye witness account through qualitative and quantitative tools to fathom the miseries of

local population with respect to climate change, biodiversity and intoxication of land and water resources. The Chhattisgarh State before its formation in 2001 and after, persistently exploited by outside population and industrial interest, COAL BED METHANE MINING is actually opens a

new chapter of risk of public health and damage to climate and biodiversity of Korba and Raigarh region against the greed and myopic vision of government and industrialized world.

Purpose of the study This study will help people and

organizations to take account of local scenario of Korba and Raigarh of climate change and damage to biodiversity, water and land resources with CBM mining project.

Sensitize communities globally to aware and unite to protest against CBM Mining risk and their after effects.

Significance of the study The study shares a local case study of the change in

climate and environment and how it risk of communities’ existence. It also provide an exploratory overview of the situation in a scenario that can form an opinion about climate change effects in long term and short term.

Communities will be made aware of their practices and consequences thereof, its will also help them to develop new system and practices to establish balance between nature and modern developmental path.

Help Government to formulate policies and regulations protecting the interest of local population while mainstreaming their interest with modern developmental initiatives.

Conflict bottlenecks and streamlining resolutions are suggested to protect all stakeholders interest.

Research Question“What would be the impact of Coal Bed Methane Mining Project in Korba and

Raigarh District of Chhattisgarh”

This study tries to find out indicators and parameters to draw a picture of affects that

CBM project will cause in this region.

Hypothesis of the studyThese are hypotheses taken for the study: Coal Bed Methane Mining will significantly impact

the biodiversity, climate, land and water resources of Korba and Raigarh.

There is a conflict of interest between stakeholders.

Environmental Aspects of CBM mining is ignored over Industrial and Economic Interest.

Methodology Qualitative research, where hypothesis is

explored and discussed during the course of study.

The study is concluded by taking qualitative and quantitative data and inputs, covering all relevant aspects of the case study.

Methodology: Qualitative Tools Used Focus Group Study Experts advice Internet Search Stakeholders Analysis Root Cause Analysis Review of Secondary literature Community Networks

Methodology: Quantitative Tools Used MS Excel and SPSS Fishbone Diagram Histogram Charts Pie Diagram SWOT Analysis Field Visits

Methodology Qualitative research, where hypothesis is

explored and discussed during the course of study.

The study is concluded by taking qualitative and quantitative data and inputs, covering all relevant aspects of the case study.

Demographics Region for study: Local Region of Korba and Raigarh Community Profiling: On the basis of

Conventional Occupation Caste and Ancestral Background

Stakeholders Aspects AccountStakeholders Aspects Account

•Communities changing living pattern

•Greenhouse gases•Modern lifestyle and

environmental degradation

• Industrial production and global warming

•Natural Resources, mining, water and land

•Deforestation ecological balance

•Soil Erosion for farming•Flaura and Fauna threat•Tribal Population, Chhattisgarh

•Contamination of Kello and Parvati River

•Community Health a•Weather and Temperature

Coal Bed Methane Mining

Methane emission from coal mining depends on the mining methods, depth of coal mining, coal quality and entrapped gas content in coal seams. An estimate of methane gas emission per tonne of coal production is given in

Estimate of methane emission in coal mining[Sou: The climate change Agenda - An Indian Perspective - TERI - 1993]

Degree I :A seam in which the inflammable gas in the general body of air at any place in the underground working exceed 0.1% and rate of emission of gas is less than 1 m3 per tonne of coal mined. Degree II :A seam in which the inflammable gas in the general body of air at any place in the underground working exceed 0.1% and rate of emission of gas is less than 1 m3 per tonne of coal mined or rate of emission of gas 1 m3 per tonne or more but less than 10 m3 per tonne of coal mined. Degree III : A seam in which the rate of emission of gas in more than 10 m3 per tonne of coal mined.

Emission of methane (CH4)

Statistics Hospital Data Whether Department Data EIA report Ekta Parishad Data Focus Group Study Sample Data Migration Tendency and Data Naxalites Philosophy Other countries similar situations

Statistics Global Parameters Global Indicators Experts View Risk Assessment General Community Perception Government Policies for Green Projects CBO/ NGO view point International Consensus Benefits Rendered

Environment Impact Assessment Report on CBM for Korba and Raigarh Area: 634 sq km of Raigarh & Korba dist. Companies: Arrow energy, Australian based company along

with consortium partners GAL (India) and Swedish infrastructure company EIG (Energy infrastructure group) at Raigarh.

EIA report prepared by New Delhi-based Asian Consulting Engineers Private Limited Pvt Ltd. for this proposed greenfield site.

Terms of Reference as per MoEF : not addresses potential impacts on various physical, social and biological environment and try to mitigate by possible means but prepared EIA report failed to address significant issues such impact of CBM extraction on local and regional hydrology due to extraction of high quantity of water, impact of polluted water (CBM extracted water) on forest, agricultures, water bodies and on biodiversity.

Impact on biodiversity: Impacts on biodiversity is poorly presented in the EIA.  on

forest cover - for instance executive summary states dense vegetation coverage is 8 %, soft copy of the EIA report provided to regulatory agency states 33.63 % of land is under dense vegetation, EIA report in hard copy states 34.8 %  – Three report of the same project gives three different information.

Around 59 % of the total land of proposed project is forest land, inspite of above, biodiversity assessment was undertaken very leniently and provided misleading information for instance, according to the EIA report, only wild animals found in the study area includes bear, hyena, monkey, leopard, fox and jackel and EIA report concluded that, “no rare and endangered animals species are found” (see 4.7.3.1, page4-18). However, out of above listed animals both leopard and bear fall in schedule 1 – it means animals are under threat and need immediate protection further leopard has been declared as rare and endangered animals.

CBM Mining Holes and Depth Misleading information on well depth - Executive

summary states depth of each well varies from 200 m - 1000 m below the ground level. However EIA report says the well depth will be 600 to 800 meter. This is a clear indication of carelessness and lack of environmental sensitivity.

The proposed project is planned to dig 8 core hole and five productions well as it is mentioned in the executive summary, however in the EIA report at none of the place they have mentioned about the production well. Moreover, the both executive summary and EIA report failed to earmarked the location of the holes. This is important because, large part of the exploration area is under forest.

Information provided in EIA Reporton land use pattern

S. No.   Land Use % of Study area in Executive Summary

% of Study Area in EIA

1. Open Space 42.5 42.05

2. Sparse Vegetation 33.5 33.63

3. Agricultural Land 14.5 15.56

4. Dense Vegetation 8 4.47

5. Village Pockets 1.3 1.92

6. Water Bodies 1.15 5.47 river and 1.15 lake

Total 100 100

Impact on waterMethane extraction involves extraction of large quantity of water. The main issue with water

quality is the amount of total dissolved solids (TDS), consisting of sodium, calcium, magnesium, ammonia, selenium, boron, iron,

radium, fluoride and various metals. However EIA report failed to provide information on quantity

and quality of CBM water. According to one published literature - In the Powder River Basin

the majority of CBM wells produce water with less than 5,000 mg/l total dissolved solids. It clearly

indicates CBM water has high salt content. Further salt level increase with the increase in the

depth of the well. However EIA report is completely silent on CBM water characteristic.

Risk assessment and disaster management Risk assessment and disaster management plant

is an important aspect particularly in case of gas, which is flammable and explosive. As methane possesses flammable and explosive characteristic, this assessment become more important especially when majority of land is under forest and occupied by human habitation. EIA report has failed to assess the risk and disaster associated with storage of methane and pipelines once the well starts producing methane on commercial scale.

This clearly shows that the EIA has failed to capture significant impact associated with methane

exploration and production.

What is coal bed methane? Standard natural gas:

CH4 Methane forms along

with coal It is held in the cleats

with the coal Substantial water

pressure needed to keep methane in the coal: 400 to 1000 ft ?

How is CBM Removed? CBM is removed by removing water

pressure which holds CBM in place. Methane that was held in place by water pressure tends to follow the water as it is pumped to the surface, where it is captured and transported through pipelines. Fraccing fluids are often first injected into the coal bed to break up the coal, making it easier for the water and gas to flow to the surface.

GasGas

WaterWater(production (production fluid)fluid)

Coal BedCoal Bed

Process of Developing CBM Relieve pressure to

release methane by removing water

Domestic wells completed in seams produce methane due to drawdown caused by nearby pumping

6-7 times more natural gas than in traditional natural gas fields

Pumping from wells lowers the water table. Pumping from wells lowers the water table. This area is known as the cone of depression. This area is known as the cone of depression. Groundwater flow is diverted towards the well Groundwater flow is diverted towards the well as it flows into the cone of depression.as it flows into the cone of depression.

Stakeholders View – Community Perception

Stakeholders View- CBO /NGO

Coal Bed Methane Mining –Soil Contamination

The major source of water pollution in the coal mines is the carry over of the suspended solids in the drainage system of the mine sump water and storm water drainage. In some of the coal mines, acidic water is also found in the underground aquifers. In addition, waste water from coal preparation plant and mine water are other sources of water pollution.

Air Pollution•Increase in temperature.Increase in temperature.

•Changes in climate and Changes in climate and weatherweather

•Pollution levelPollution level

Distress Migration

Korba and Raigarh is hotspot of Korba and Raigarh is hotspot of industrial migrationindustrial migration

Deforestation

Steel Plants, Thermal Power companies and Steel Plants, Thermal Power companies and Mining companies have changed the Mining companies have changed the biodiversity of the regionbiodiversity of the region

Other Problems Noise Pollution Overburden management Subsidence management (cracks on surface and

lowering of land) Underground mine fire abatement Land degradation during mining activity and its

reclamation Deforestation during mining activity and

compensatory forestation Solid Waste Abandoned mines

Living on the edge- Tribal

Naxalism

Coal Bed Methane Mining Stalemate with Stalemate with Communities, Pressure Communities, Pressure groups and Vacuum of groups and Vacuum of Govt. PoliciesGovt. Policies

Hypothesis TestingThese are hypotheses taken for the study: Coal Bed Methane Mining will significantly impact

the biodiversity, climate, land and water resources of Korba and Raigarh. (Correct)(Correct)

There is a conflict of interest between stakeholders. (Not completely correct)(Not completely correct)

Environmental Aspects of CBM mining is ignored over Industrial and Economic Interest. (Correct)(Correct)

Key Findings EIA report should be freshly drafted for

MoEF. Superior Technology be opted New standards of environmental

protection be opted as globally accepted. Local Community Participation

Key Findings & Way forward National Green Tribunal Bill to be tabled.

Effluent Standards The standards for effluent discharge into

sewer/stream/land, are given below : PH - 5.5 to 9.0 Total Suspended Solids - 100 mg/l - 200 mg/l (Land for irrigation) Oil & Grease - 10 mg/l Mercury (Hg) - Absent Nitrate Nitrogen - 10 mg/l

CLEAN COAL COMBUSTION TECHNOLOGIES The most popular of these technologies

are Fluidised Bed Combustion (FBC). Pressurised Fluidised Bed Combustion

Combined Cycle (PFBC). Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle

(IGCC). All these secrete lesser Sulphur,

Methane and Nitrogen.

News Standards of CBM in Canada and North America Companies will not be allowed to surface discharge

produced water. Any re-injected produced water must be injected well below any domestic water aquifer.

Companies must use the most advanced technology and practices that are commercially viable to minimize land and aesthetic disturbances. 

Companies must fully engage local communities and First Nations in all stages of development.

Coalbed methane is a natural gas found underground between coal seams. While the gas itself is clean, extraction may result in what is known by industry as produced water. This produced water may contain high saline and sodium content, making it unsuitable for agriculture or domestic use. 

Source: Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Richard Neufeld, Canada.

Bibliography and References Industrial Development and Displacement: The People of Korba - By Vasudha

Dhagamwar, (Author), Subrata De , (Author), Nikhil Verma , (Author) Cseindia.org, centre for science and enviorenment. EIA report of Asian consultants, Delhi Ekta Parishad, Archieves http://cgwb.gov.in/CR/achi_hydroche_stu.html