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Coal India Ltd subsidiary, South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL), plans to boost forest cover in Chhattisgarh's coal belt region using the Miyawaki method. Miyawaki method involves planting native trees, shrubs, and groundcover plants densely within every square meter, ideal for small parcels of land. SECL's pilot project in Gevra Area, costing Rs 4 crores, will plant 20,000 saplings over two years, including big, medium, and small plants. Miyawaki plantation focuses on native plants requiring low maintenance, resilient to harsh conditions, benefiting local communities and wildlife. The Gevra mine's Miyawaki forest aims to rapidly increase green cover, providing fruit-bearing, avenue, and ornamental trees for the area. The forest will play a role in absorbing dust particles and regulating surface temperature. SECL, a leading coal producer, is committed to environmental preservation, having planted over three crore saplings since inception. In FY 2023-24, SECL brought 475 hectares under green cover, planting 10.77 lakh saplings, the highest among all Coal India subsidiaries. SECL signed an MoU with Chhattisgarh Rajya Van Vikas Nigam (CGRVVN) and Madhya Pradesh Rajya Van Vikas Nigam (MPRVVN) to invest Rs 169 crores for plantation and maintenance over five years (2023-24 to 2027-28). Learn Along: About SECL SECL is the highest coal producing company of India. The coal mines of SECL are spread across two states namely Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. SECL operates 65 coal mines , of which 39 coal mines lies in Chhattisgarh State, while rest 26 coal mines are situated in Madhya Pradesh state. And of these 65 no of coal mines, 46 mines are worked by underground method of mining while rest 19 no of mines are Opencast mines. For effective administrative control and operation, coal mines at SECL has been divided into three groups viz Central India coalfields (CIC), Korba coalfields and Mand Raigarh Coalfields. Founded: 1985                         Headquarters: Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India