Remote Sensing Technique- A Modern tool for Monitoring of Fire Problem in Coal Mines

Abstract

Coal, a valuable non-renewable gift from nature, is the most widely used fossil fuel in the world. Coal has been formed in the past due to chemical and bacterial changes in various components of plants buried under the ground. Coal is rich in carbon, which we used as a pivotal source of energy. At present, spontaneous combustion / fire in coal mines has become a global problem. India's coal mines also have a long history of self-ignition/fire causing destruction of a valuable natural resource. It strongly and adversely affects the ecosystem as well as the social life, health and safety of the coalfield's populace. Remote-sensing technology is a modern and effective technique used to detect coal fire affected areas. It is an excellent and relatively economical method for locating and monitoring of a large fire-prone area viz. Jharia and Raniganj, coalfields of Jharkhand and West Bengal states respectively in a timely manner. It is the best technique to study periodical speed of fire spread, stage, extent and nature of fire over specific time period gap. In this research paper, the method of remote sensing monitoring of coal mine fires in Jharia coalfield has been discussed in detail.