Question

Describe in detail coal under the following heads:

a. Distribution of coal in India.

b. Demerits of Indian coal.

c. Conservation of coal.

d. Use of coal in economic development of India

Answer 1

A. Distribution of coal in India

1. In India, coal occurs in rock form in two geological ages namely, Gondwana where 200 million years of age coal is found and in tertiary deposits where only about 55 million years old coal is available
2. The major resources of Gondwana coal are metallurgical coal and they are located mainly in Damodar Valley.
3. Jharia, Raniganj, Bokaro are important coal fields found in this region
4. Godavari, Mahanadi, Son and Wardha valleys also contain coal deposits
5. Tertiary coal deposits occur in North Eastern states like Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland etc

B. Demerits of Indian coal

1. Though coal is found abundant in nature and generate power at cheap rates, it has its own disadvantages like it creates large amounts of carbon emissions in the atmosphere which in turn cause air pollution
2. Combustion and coal mining results in environmental pollution and has also caused many deaths to mining workers and people of surrounding regions
3. Coal distributed in India is uneven and hence, involves high transport costs
4. Indian coal has high level of ash content and also has low calorific value

C. Conservation of coal

1. Coal is the oldest form of conventional source of energy in India and is the most important non – renewable resource which has to be preserved for continuous industrial and domestic needs
2. Hence, to preserve coal usage in high quantities, conventional sources of energy like solar power, wind energy, thermal energy, etc can be utilized which thereby reduces fossil fuel consumption i.e., usage of coal, petroleum, etc to maximum extent

D. Use of coal in economic development of India

1. In India, coal plays a vital role in industrial development and also satisfy domestic needs of people both in urban and rural areas
2. Railways use coal to the maximum extent
3. It is major source of nation’s power generation and is a major raw material for thermal power