The West Bengal government is fighting a case against the environmental degradation of coal mines in the High Court green bench. The Pollution Control Board (PCB) of the state has informed the bench that vast areas are being destroyed by land subsidence, underground fires and air and water pollution for decades. There is a fast deterioration in the situation, the PCB said. It has submitted to the court that most collieries are reluctant to comply with environmental laws. The PCB has issued a notice to the Eastern Coalfields Limited. The bench has been informed that if "unrestrained" mining continues, there will be serious health and environmental hazards.
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