Impact of Opencast Mining on Agricultural Productivity and Environmental Sustainability: A Case Study of the Singareni Collieries in Telangana

The rapid industrialization and economic expansion in India have increased reliance on natural resource extraction, particularly through opencast mining. While efficient and cost-effective, this mining method has significant environmental and socio-economic repercussions. This study focuses on the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) in Telangana to examine its impact on agricultural productivity in surrounding regions. Agriculture, a cornerstone of rural livelihoods, faces severe challenges from mining activities, including land degradation, water contamination, air pollution, and biodiversity loss. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines primary data from surveys and interviews with secondary data from official records and reports. The analysis reveals substantial declines in crop yields, heightened susceptibility of crops to pests and diseases, and deteriorating agricultural produce quality due to mining-induced environmental degradation. Factor analysis identifies two critical dimensions: “Agricultural Productivity and Biodiversity Loss” and “Environmental Degradation and Adaptive Practices,” highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental changes and farming challenges. Key findings show that over 70% of respondents acknowledged significant reductions in crop yields, with biodiversity loss and dust pollution emerging as critical factors. ANOVA results confirm a significant impact of opencast mining on biodiversity and environmental conditions, necessitating adaptive practices among farmers. The study underscores the urgent need for sustainable mining practices and effective mitigation strategies to balance economic benefits with the preservation of agricultural livelihoods and environmental health.