Coal will continue to be main source for India’s energy needs while utmost care will be taken to protect the environment in meeting over 1.5 billion coal output target by 2020, a top official said.
The statement comes after a landmark climate change deal in Paris with the approval of India, China and the US, after days of tough negotiations with the legally-binding pact seeking to limit global warming to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius.
“Dependence on coal cannot be ruled out totally. There are no other alternatives available,” Coal Secretary Anil Swarup said. He added that “The concern of environment will always be there by ensuring that there are proper measures like afforestation at more than double the land that is mined,” Coal Secretary Anil Swarup said.
He also said that attempts would be made that minimum damage is made to the environment.
The government is eyeing to achieve 1.5 billion tonnes of coal production by 2020. Of the 1.5 billion tonnes, Coal India which accounts for over 80 percent of the domestic coal production is eyeing an output of one billion tonnes.