The Meghalaya government is currently waiting for final approval from the Union Coal Ministry to resume coal mining in the state under a scientific mining model.
The government had conducted public hearings for scientific mining at three locations two months ago and the necessary clearances from the Forest and Environment Department and Pollution Control Board have been obtained. The files are now under review in New Delhi, where the Coal Ministry will provide the final approval after evaluating all the clearances from the central and state governments.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, while addressing the delay, clarified the complexity of the entire process. “We had to overcome significant hurdles, including disputes with agencies like the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court, which led to a complicated battle for lifting the ban on mining. Moreover, the land tenure system in Meghalaya is distinct from other regions, necessitating specific provisions from the government of India,” he explained.
The CM also noted that the nature of coal seams in Meghalaya requires unique technology for scientific mining. “The coal here is in small seams and layers, which means the conventional mining technology does not entirely apply. This, too, has been a challenge that needed to be addressed carefully,” he explained.
Many factors contributed to the delays, including the need to engage with various stakeholders, such as the Supreme Court, National Green Tribunal, Coal India and other government bodies. “It’s easy to criticise the pace of progress from the outside but this is a very complex matter. Once we complete the entire process and share the details, I’m confident people will appreciate the efforts that went into overcoming these challenges,” he said.
In parallel to the hoped-for mining permission, the Meghalaya government is also taking steps to address environmental concerns through the restoration of degraded mining areas. Funds from the Meghalaya Reclamation Fund, amounting to nearly Rs 500 crore, are being utilised to restore these areas, conserve water bodies and carry out afforestation programmes in abandoned mining sites, the CM informed.
So far, only pilot projects have begun at selected locations. “We have already initiated the study and mapping process and we expect to see positive results in the coming months. Once the pilot phase is complete, we will expand the programme across the entire state,” Sangma said.
Although such accusations have died down of late, Meghalaya governments have been accused of doing little to stop illegal mining ever since the rat-hole mining ban came into force in 2014. Sangma tried to assuage doubts on this issue, saying that action is taken as soon as reports are received of illegal mining.
