Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) is a public sector enterprise of the Government of Telangana engaged in coal production, presently operating 18 open-cast mines across different locations. While mining activities have inevitably led to vegetation loss and environmental impacts, the overburden dumps created in the process have also become highly susceptible to invasion by opportunistic and fast-growing exotic species such as Prosopis juliflora and Acacia holosericea.
Over the years, many of the old overburden dumps have been extensively colonised by these invasive species, resulting in severe alteration of local ecology and suppression of native biodiversity. Recognising this, SCCL now proposes to undertake systematic ecological restoration of such sites. The approach will include the removal of invasive stands, preventive strategies for re-emergence, and the introduction of ecologically appropriate restoration measures.
As this is the first large-scale attempt of its kind within SCCL, particularly with regard to the removal and management of species like Acacia holosericea, I seek valuable suggestions and technical guidance from you all to ensure that the interventions adopted are scientifically sound and ecologically sustainable. I am also sharing a few photographs of the affected sites for a better understanding of the current situation. Thanking you in advance.
Further it is also informed that these locations are far away from habitations/villages so having limited opportunity for the involvement of local communities
Hi, not sure if you are still on the lookout for more info, but think it is worth having a look at the recent large-scale Prickly Acacia control work happening in the Channel Country (QLD, Australia) - there’s an article about thousands of acacias being dealt with across 200,000 hectares over four years (NRM Regions Queensland) - though apparently the actual figure is more like millions of hectares…
Their integrated approach included control burns to manage biomass and trigger seed germination for follow-up treatments (given most acacias have pretty long seed viability). Interestingly, they also brought in wild camels that readily ate the mature infestations… and their digestive systems destroyed the seed. In that landscape prickly acacia is basically the only woody invader in the native grasslands (Mitchell grass), so the camels didn’t hit the native vegetation too hard, aside from some trampling I’d imagine…
Anyway, just a few options to think about. Would be good to know more about the project specifics - I’m assuming those overburden dumps will need substantial replenishment before any replanting or seeding… and wondering if there’s any native species already present or nearby - the aerials show national parks aren’t too far away…
