BILASPUR, India — July 21, 2026: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) carried out a large-scale plantation drive, planting 15,000 saplings in a single day across 1.5 hectares of land behind the New Commissioner Office at Koni, Bilaspur. The initiative was organized as part of Coal India Limited’s nationwide campaign to establish a Guinness World Records benchmark for the highest number of trees planted in a single day.
The plantation also marked the launch of Bilaspur City’s first Miyawaki Forest Development Initiative by SECL. Developed using the Miyawaki afforestation method, the dense urban forest is designed to grow much faster than conventional plantations while significantly improving biodiversity, increasing green cover, enhancing air quality, and supporting climate resilience.
The event was attended by several senior government and company officials, including Shri Harish Duhan, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, SECL; Shri Sunil Kumar Jain, Commissioner, Bilaspur Division; Shri Biranchi Das, Director (HR); Shri D. Sunil Kumar, Director (Finance); Shri Himanshu Jain, Chief Vigilance Officer; Shri Ramesh Chandra Mohapatra, Director (Technical/P&P); Shri K. Rajashekhar, Executive Director, Coal India Limited; and Shri Sanjay Sinha, General Manager (Environment). They were joined by Heads of Departments and other senior officials, all of whom actively participated in the plantation drive.
Speaking at the event, Shri Harish Duhan emphasized that environmental protection is not just an organizational responsibility but a collective commitment toward future generations. He stated that forests developed through the Miyawaki method would play a vital role in biodiversity conservation, maintaining ecological balance, and helping mitigate the effects of climate change.
As part of the broader Coal India Limited campaign, SECL is planting more than 320,000 saplings across all of its operational areas in a single day. The company said the initiative demonstrates its strong focus on sustainable mining, environmental stewardship, and long-term ecological restoration.
The campaign goes beyond an attempt to secure a Guinness World Record. It highlights SECL’s commitment to creating a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future, while promoting environmental awareness and encouraging community participation in conservation efforts.
The Miyawaki Forest Project is expected to become a significant green landmark for Bilaspur, contributing to urban ecological health and reinforcing SECL’s leadership in sustainable environmental initiatives within India’s mining sector.
