After over a decade of NGT ban, Meghalaya begins scientific coal mining

Guwahati: Scientific coal mining began in Meghalaya on Monday, more than a decade after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned haphazard mining in view of adverse impact on the Northeastern state's ecology and human health. 

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated the scientific mining at Byndihati in East Jaintia Hills district via video conferencing.

The mining began in the block owned by Dapmain Shylla of Byndihati. 

"It is a historic day for the people as scientific mining has finally become a reality today. The last 10 to 11 years have been one of the most difficult years for a lot of the citizens, especially those who are directly and indirectly connected with the coal industry and had to go through financial hardships due to the ban on coal mining by the NGT," he said.

Sangma said since he became the CM in 2018, he had been trying hard to begin scientific coal mining in order to restore livelihood options of many and at the same time check its possible adverse impact.

The coal mining began 45-days after three firms were granted permission by the coal ministry and other regulatory authorities. The permissions were granted based on several conditions aimed at checking the adverse impact of such mining on the ecology and human health.

"We are also trying hard to ensure that interests of the small coal miners are also protected and they too can resume coal mining. We are in touch with the coal ministry and other regulatory agencies in this regard," Sangma said. 

Impact on ecology

The coal mining was banned by the NGT in 2014 due to adverse impact on the ecology, human health and rivers in the hilly and tribal dominated state. The state government had drawn much flak in 2018 when at least 13 workers died inside an illegal "rat hole" coal mine at Ksan village in East Jaintia Hills district. The mishap exposed how illegal coal mining was going on despite a ban by the NGT. At the same, the government was under pressure from the local communities, who depended on coal mining for livelihood. As the state is protected under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, communities enjoy the rights over their land and the minerals beneath. The little control of the government over the land kept the illegal coal mining going. 

Amid pressure for resumption of coal mining, Meghalaya government moved the Supreme Court and got the NGT ban vacated in 2019. "After the NGT ban was vacated, we had to struggle a lot to work out the mining plans, which are scientific," Sangma had said in January. 

The sites for which mining permission were granted are spread in more than 100 acres. The mining is likely to contribute non-tax revenue of Rs. 500 to 800 crore annually to the state exchequer. 

Timeline

2014: NGT banned open coal mining due to adverse impact on ecology and human health.

2018: Meghalaya government came under fire after 13 workers were buried alive in a "rat hole" coal mine.

2019: The NGT ban was revoked by the Supreme Court and asked the government to work out plans for scientific mining. 

January 2025: The issue of "rat hole" mining again came to limelight after nine workers died in a mine in neighbouring Assam's Dima Hasao district.

January 30, 2025: Permissions granted to three firms to begin scientific mining in Meghalaya.