Bilaspur, India |: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) successfully concluded a two-day Training-cum-Workshop on “Ground Water Regulation and Control” at its headquarters in Bilaspur, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable mining, groundwater conservation, and scientific water resource management.
The workshop was organized in collaboration with the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), New Delhi, and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), North Central Chhattisgarh Region, Raipur. The initiative aimed to enhance awareness among SECL officials and employees regarding groundwater conservation, efficient water management practices, and the latest regulatory requirements governing groundwater usage.
The valedictory session was attended by Mr. C. Jayadev, Executive Director (Environment), Coal India Limited (CIL), as the Chief Guest. Senior officials from SECL, along with participants representing various operational areas and units of the company, were also present during the closing ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. C. Jayadev emphasized that water conservation is not merely an environmental responsibility but also a commitment to future generations. He highlighted that balancing mining operations with the sustainable use of natural resources has become increasingly important in today’s industrial landscape. He stated that scientific water management is essential for responsible mining and appreciated the workshop for providing participants with valuable insights into new regulations, best practices, and effective groundwater conservation strategies.
Throughout the two-day program, officials and employees from different SECL mines, projects, and administrative units actively participated in technical sessions covering a broad range of topics related to groundwater management.
Experts delivered detailed presentations on groundwater conservation, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge techniques, efficient industrial water utilization, and the legal and regulatory framework governing groundwater extraction and management.
The workshop featured distinguished experts from both collaborating organizations.
Representing the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), New Delhi, the expert panel included:
- Dr. Prabir K. Naik, Regional Director
- Mr. Uddeshya Kumar, Scientist-C
- Ms. H. V. Sophia K., Scientist-C
Experts from the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), North Central Chhattisgarh Region, Raipur, included:
- Dr. Bhushan R. Lamsoge, Regional Director
- Mr. Siddhant Kumar Sahu, Scientist-C
- Ms. Sayali Umesh Temburne, Scientist-C
- Mr. Pramod Sahu, Scientist-C
The specialists shared practical experiences, technical expertise, and recommendations aimed at promoting responsible groundwater management across mining operations.
An interactive question-and-answer session was also conducted, where participants raised queries related to groundwater management, regulatory approvals, water conservation measures, and operational challenges specific to mining areas. The experts addressed each question with practical and technically sound solutions, enabling participants to better understand compliance requirements and sustainable practices.
During the concluding session, the experts stressed the importance of community participation in water conservation, wider adoption of rainwater harvesting systems, and the judicious use of available water resources. They noted that responsible industrial water consumption and strict adherence to regulatory provisions are critical to achieving sustainable development and ensuring long-term environmental protection.
As part of the closing ceremony, Mr. C. Jayadev presented certificates to the participating officers and employees in recognition of their successful completion of the training program.
Participants described the workshop as highly informative, practical, and knowledge-enriching, expressing confidence that the lessons learned would significantly strengthen their efforts toward efficient water management, groundwater conservation, and environmentally responsible mining practices within their respective work areas.
The successful completion of this two-day Training-cum-Workshop marks another significant step by SECL toward promoting groundwater conservation, encouraging the scientific and responsible use of water resources, and reinforcing its commitment to sustainable and environmentally responsible mining operations.
