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VOL. 11, ISSUE 3 (2026)
An investigation into the impact of coal mining on mammalian diversity, habitat fragmentation and water depletion in Singrauli District, Madhya Pradesh
Authors
Kanchan Gupta, Dr. Veenita Bhadora
Abstract
The Singrauli district of north-eastern Madhya
Pradesh represents one of the most heavily exploited coal mining regions of
India, in which opencast mining and thermal power plants co-exist with patches
of tropical dry deciduous forest and riparian habitat. To determine the effects
of coal mining on mammalian diversity, habitat fragmentation, and water
resources, we sampled the landscape using three strata: high impact,
intermediate, and low impact reference areas. Camera trapping, line transects,
and occupancy modelling were used to survey mammals, and multi-temporal
satellite data were used to estimate forest cover and fragmentation metrics.
Water resources (groundwater and surface-water) were characterised along the
disturbance gradient, and direct and indirect effects of mining on mammal
occupancy were evaluated using generalized linear mixed models and structural
equation modelling. In our sample period, we generated 9,684 camera trap days,
walked 1,126 km on transects, and recorded 31 species in 15 families and seven
orders. Mammal species richness decreased from 24 in reference areas to 20 in
intermediate areas to 15 in high-impact areas; Shannon–Wiener diversity
declined from 2.76 to 1.82. Forest-dependent species occupancy decreased from
0.70 in reference areas to 0.27 in high-impact areas. Forest cover decreased
from 67.4% to 31.8%, while patch and edge densities increased and mean patch
size, core area, and cohesion declined. Mean groundwater depth increased from
9.8 ± 1.5 m in reference areas to 18.7 ± 2.4 m in high-impact areas.
Mining-affected water resources exhibited poorer water quality compared to
reference water resources. The structural equation model revealed a direct
negative impact of mining on mammal occupancy, as well as indirect impacts
mediated by habitat fragmentation and water stress. The total standardized
effect of mining on mammal occupancy was −0.58. These results highlight the
broad impacts of mining on mammalian diversity through effects on habitat
fragmentation, habitat connectivity and water resources. Our results underscore
the importance of preserving large continuous forest patches, maintaining
functional corridors, protecting natural water sources for wildlife, and
restoring disturbed mining areas in an ecologically sustainable manner.
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Pages:83-91
How to cite this article:
Kanchan Gupta, Dr. Veenita Bhadora "An investigation into the impact of coal mining on mammalian diversity, habitat fragmentation and water depletion in Singrauli District, Madhya Pradesh". International Journal of Zoology Studies, Vol 11, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 83-91
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