Ecorestoration of the coalmine degraded lands

The book adopts an application-oriented approach for ecorestoration of coalmine degraded. The theoretical aspects of ecorestoration, and steps involved in ecorestoration process and experimental aspects of thorough analytical procedures have been discussed in detail. It emphasizes on the types of mining, land degradation, and biodiversity conservation while giving details of technical and biological steps, topsoil management, selection of plant species, seeding, nursery practices; adoption of innovative approaches like mulching, biofertlizer application, hydroseeding, superabsorbent; use of grass-legume mix; monitoring and aftercare of reclaimed sites; the indicators of sustainable ecorestoration; and Rules and Acts implemented and followed across the world. Best ecorestoration practices, mine closure issues, collection, laboratory analysis and interpretation of minesoil and topsoil samples, monitoring biological parameters, litterfall and tree growth analysis, erosion management, design of drainage and sedimentation retention basin, and brief description of tree species with identifying character for field people are all part of the book. [Message by Prominent Academician] It is now urgent that methods of coal mining be integrated with engineering for ecorestoration because the larger society will not accept devastated waste land. A book, coming out from the hands of one of the persistent researchers of the field, cannot be more timely. Jayanta Bhattacharya, PhD FNAE Professor, Department of Mining Engineering Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur-721302, India.  

Dr Subodh Kumar Maiti (b. 25-04-1960) is a Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering Centre of Mining Environment, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad. He did BSc (Hons) and MSc in Botany from Calcutta University in 1981, M.Tech (Environmental Science and Engineering) from IIT Mumbai in 1986 and worked as Senior Environmental Engineer in Kirloskar Consultancy Division, Pune till 1987. In 1988, he joined as lecturer in ISM, Dhanbad and earned his Ph.D in Environmental Science and Engineering in ecological aspects of reclamation of coalmine degraded lands. He underwent 3 months training on EIA and auditing at University of Bradford, UK in 1996 and 1 month advanced training on mining and environment at University of Lulea, Sweden under SIDA. He has taught ecology, environmental microbiology, land reclamation at B.Tech and M.Tech levels and has guided several research students. He has worked in the biological aspects of reclamation for more than two decades and has published over 60 papers in International and national journals, and has presented over 120 papers in International and national seminars. He has completed several R&D and consultancy projects on biological reclamation, biodiversity assessment, design and development of green belts in mining areas. He is life member of IAEM, IASWC, Mycorrhiza News, MGMI, The Indian Mining & Engineering Journal (IME). He was also selected as Fellow National Environmentalist Association (FNAE), Member SERI (Australia) and IPS (USA).