In line with its commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development, South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) carried out a massive plantation drive of 15,000 saplings using the Miyawaki afforestation method over 1.5 hectares of land behind the New Commissioner Office at Koni, Bilaspur, on 21 July 2026. The plantation was undertaken as part of Coal India Limited's nationwide campaign to establish a Guinness World Records benchmark through the highest number of trees planted in a single day.

The project is believed to be the first Miyawaki forest initiative in Bilaspur city undertaken by SECL. Developed using the Miyawaki technique, this dense urban forest is expected to significantly enhance biodiversity, increase green cover, and improve the local environment in the years to come.

The plantation programme was attended by Harish Duhan, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, SECL; Sunil Kumar Jain, Commissioner, Bilaspur Division; Biranchi Das, Director (HR), SECL; D. Sunil Kumar, Director (Finance), SECL; Himanshu Jain, Chief Vigilance Officer, SECL; Ramesh Chandra Mohapatra, Director (Technical/P&P), SECL; K Rajashekhar, Executive Director, Coal India Limited; Sanjay Sinha, General Manager (Environment), along with Heads of Departments and senior officials of the company. The dignitaries participated in the plantation drive and conveyed the importance of environmental conservation and community participation.

Speaking on the occasion, Harish Duhan, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, SECL, said, "Environmental protection is not merely a responsibility but our collective commitment towards future generations. Dense forests developed through the Miyawaki method will not only enhance green cover but will also play a significant role in biodiversity conservation, maintaining ecological balance, and mitigating the impacts of climate change."

As part of Coal India's Guinness World Records plantation campaign, large-scale plantation drives are being undertaken across all its subsidiary companies. Under this initiative, SECL is planting more than 3.20 lakh saplings across its various operational areas in a single day.

The campaign is not only an attempt to set a world record but also reflects SECL's unwavering commitment towards sustainable mining, environmental stewardship, and creating a greener, cleaner and more resilient future for generations to come.