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Tribunal order to stop rat-hole mining across Meghalaya

The National Green Tribunal has ordered a stop to rat-hole coal mining across Meghalaya and it observed that neither the government nor the people were benefiting from “illegal mining” except the “coal mafias” while warning against illegal transportation of the mineral.

This is the latest instance that a national authority has intervened in the traditional and unscientific form of coal mining that has been the order of the day for decades in the state and where there is a race in the pursuit of stockpiles of coal through rat holes where several lives have perished.

It is also for the first time that an authority has used strong words such as “coal mafias” while dealing with the contentious issue of Meghalaya’s “black diamond”.

The landmark order, which is likely to create waves in the coal-rich areas of the state, was passed on Thursday by a principal bench of Justice Mr P Jyothimani, judicial member, Justice Mr MS Nambiar, another judicial member, and expert members Mr GK Pandey, Mr PC Mishra and Mr Ranjan Chatterjee.

While quoting from a detailed report on coal mining in Meghalaya prepared by Mr OP Singh, professor (department of environment studies) in the North Eastern Hill University (Nehu), the tribunal said that “It shows an alarming situation existing in Meghalaya especially in the Jaintia hills wherein rat-hole mining has been in practice for a long time.”

It said that “We are of the considered view that such illegal and unscientific method can never be allowed in the interest of maintaining ecological balance of the country and safety of the employees. It is also brought to the notice of this tribunal that by such illegal mining of coal neither the government nor the people of the country are benefited. It is only the coal mafias who are getting benefit by following this sort of illegal activities.”

The All Dimasa Students’ Union had moved the Green Tribunal on April 2nd blaming that illegal rat-hole mining in Jaintia hills is polluting Kopili river by turning its water acidic.

The Dimasa student organisation had placed before the tribunal two survey reports of 2006 and 2010 in which pH level of Kopili shows big differences.

A good pH level for drinking water should be between six and 8.5. If the pH level is lower than this, the water will be acidic and can be corrosive.

Mr Aripom Bodo president of Adsu Dima Hasao district unit said that “The people of Umrangsu have to depend on Kopili for drinking water. The polluted Kopili water becomes a big threat to the life of all those who are dependent on the river source. We placed before the court all information, including the way rat-hole mining is continuing in neighbouring Jaintia hills and pitiable livelihood style of Umrangsu people who are basically dependent on the rivers, rivulets and streams that originate from Jaintia hills.”

The bench said that “We are of the considered view that this act should be condemned and in any event such illegal activities are to be put to an end and the state of Meghalaya should come forward with an appropriate scheme and the statutory rules.”

The tribunal was also of the view that if rat-hole mining was practised in other parts of Meghalaya other than in the Jaintia hills, it should be put to an end in the interest of people working in the mines as well as for protection of the environment.

Rat-hole mining is practised not only in the Jaintia hills but also in the coal-rich areas of Garo hills and West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills.

While admitting the application, the tribunal directed Meghalaya chief secretary and the director-general of police to ensure that rat-hole mining/illegal mining is stopped forthwith throughout the state. It also ordered that any illegal transport of coal should not take place until further orders are passed.

The DGP was directed to report to the tribunal about the compliance of the order by the next date of hearing. The tribunal will again hear the matter on May 19th.

The Meghalaya mining department and the Union ministry of coal have also been listed as respondents in the case. Submitting the application, the counsel for the applicants contended that rat-hole mining operations have been in practice in the Jaintia hills for many years “without being regulated by any law and extraction of coal has been made by unscrupulous elements in a most illegal and unscientific manner.”

Source: www.telegraphindia.com/Coal Guru