Research Projects

Coal mining in Chhattisgarh, Central India, has led to extensive degradation of land through the accumulation of overburden spoils leading to inhibition of natural regeneration. This research project aims to explore the early-stage ecological restoration potential of Tephrosia (a nitrogen-fixing legume) and selected grass species. Quantification of rhizodeposition of these species will improve the understanding on the role of rhizodeposits in soil carbon dynamics and improvement of soil quality. The project will employ a randomized block design with various treatments (Tephrosia, grasses, their combination, and control), with regular monitoring of their growth followed by estimating their impact on rehabilitation of coal mine overburden spoils. Using a Naturally Ventilated Polyhouse, the study will assess firstly, the effectiveness of individual and combined treatments of Tephrosia and selected grass species in enhancing the physicochemical and biological properties of coal mine overburden spoils, secondly the role of rhizodeposition of Tephrosia and selected grass species in soil carbon dynamics during restoration of coal mine overburden spoils and thirdly, the growth performance and survival of native tree species in Tephrosia and grass species treated coal mine overburden spoils for early-stage ecological restoration. Coal mine overburden collected from active coal mine sites will be used as the growth medium. The poly pots with the treatments consisting of Tephrosia (Tephrosia purpurea and T. candida) and grass species (Vetiveria zizanioides and Cymbopogon martinii) will be maintained and observed for minimum 12 months. The root exudates will be collected for various compound analysis after which, aboveground biomass will be cut and removed (or retained as mulch), and the overburden substrate will be used for assessing the physicochemical and biological properties. Following the uprooting of the plants after 12 months after sowing, the tree species (Acacia catechu, Diospyros melanoxylon, Terminalia arjuna) will be sown in the overburden substrate and observe for their germination, survival, root and shoot biomass, and other growth parameters. Baseline and post-treatment comparison of the physicochemical and biological properties of the overburden spoils will be assessed to find out the impact of the treatments on restoration, remediation and improvement of overburden spoils Findings from this research are expected to contribute significantly as early-stage ecological restoration strategy of coal mine overburdens. The study also aligns with national priorities on forest restoration, biodiversity conservation, and land degradation neutrality. In the face of increasing coal mining impacts, adopting such species for early-stage ecological restoration in mine reclamation frameworks is not just desirable, it is essential for resilient ecosystems, climate mitigation, and community well-being.