Explain the distribution of coal in India.

India is the third largest producer of coal in India. Basically, coal contains carbon. Based on the carbon content, coal can be classified into four categories as follows:

a. Anthracite which contains 80-90 percent of carbon

b. Bituminous which contains 75-80 percent of carbon

c. Lignite which contains 35-50 percent of carbon

d. Peat which contains 15-35 percent of carbon.

Distribution of coal in India is as follows:

a. Jharkhand:

Jharia, Bokaro, Rajmahal, Devghar, Daltonganj are the areas in the state rich in coal reserves.

b. Odisha:

Coal is abundant in the areas of Sambalpur, Talchar, Sundergarh and Brahmani valley regions.

c. Chhattisgarh:

Bilaspur, Surguja, Ramgarh, Corba, Bishrampur are some of the areas where coal is found.

d. West Bengal:

Raniganj, Bardhaman, Bakunda, Purulia, Birbhum, and Darjiling are the areas where coal reserves are located.

e. Madhya Pradesh:

Coal reserves are located in the areas of Shahdaul, Chindwara, Narsinghpura, and Betul.

f. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana:

Khammam, Adilabad, Bargal, Sigreli, and Cherlapalli are the areas where coal is found.

g. Maharashtra:

Chandrapur, Yaktwal, and Nagpur regions are rich in coal reserves.

h. Uttar Pradesh:

Coal reserves can be found in the regions of Sonbhadra district.

i. Rajasthan:

Lignite coal is found in the areas of Kapuradi, Jalippa, Giral, Bhadkha, Gunga, and Shiva of Barmer district. It is also available in other places like Medta, Kuchera, Kasnau, and Matasukh in Nagaur, Barsingser, Palana, Gudha, Bithnok of Bikaner.

The eastern and other states of India accounts for six percent in the total coal production of the country.

The vast reserves of coal have thus led India to rank number three next to America and China.