Meghalaya HC Panel Demands Action Plan Against Illegal Rat-Hole Mining

The Meghalaya High Court-appointed Justice B.P. Katakey Committee urged the state government to urgently notify a comprehensive action plan to curb illegal coal mining and mandate the physical closure of abandoned rat-hole pits. The committee expressed serious concerns over unmonitored mining operations and environmental degradation occurring despite long-standing prohibitions imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

Rat-hole mining involves digging narrow vertical pits up to 400 feet deep, from which workers crawl horizontally into thin coal seams to extract coal manually. The NGT banned this practice across Meghalaya in 2014 due to frequent pit flooding, severe worker fatalities, structural collapse risks, and acidic drainage polluting local rivers like the Kopili.

The Supreme Court in 2019 allowed regulated coal mining on private and community-owned lands under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, subject to environmental clearances. However, the Katakey Committee reported that illegal extractions continue, recommending geo-tagging of mines, drone surveillance, installation of smart check posts, and compulsory safety fencing around dangerous open pits.

This legal enforcement step highlights ecological governance challenges in Sixth Schedule areas with complex traditional land tenure systems. Exam aspirants should study NGT powers, MMDR Act provisions, and rat-hole mining environmental consequences for Prelims and Mains Geography and Ecology sections.