A recent report submitted to the Meghalaya High Court reveals that illegal coal mining continues unabated in the state, with the detection of 1.69 lakh metric tons (MT) of illegally mined coal. This finding comes despite the National Green Tribunal’s decade-old ban on unscientific mining practices in the region.
The report was the result of extensive drone videography and volumetric assessments conducted by a private firm hired by the state government, following recommendations from a committee established by the High Court. The survey, which mapped various districts, found significant quantities of unlawfully mined coal in West Jaintia Hills (1,69,378.12 MT), East Garo Hills (189.48 MT), and South West Khasi Hills (34.75 MT).
“This aptly establishes the continued mining of coal in the said districts,” stated the panel in its 27th interim report. The committee emphasized that these findings followed the implementation of advanced mapping techniques and underscored the ongoing challenges in curbing illegal mining activities in the area.
In addition to uncovering illegal mining, the panel criticized the Meghalaya government for its inadequate oversight. Despite spending over Rs 45 lakh on drones and establishing 11 drone control rooms across the state, the government conducted only six drone sorties in the last ten months—a fact that the committee described as reflecting a “very sorry state of affairs.”
The report also highlighted compliance issues among purchasers of auctioned coal. Out of 42 successful bidders for the reassessed/inventoried coal, 22 failed to deposit the full demurrage charges imposed, despite being granted extensions to deposit the bid value and lift the coal from designated depots.
Moreover, the panel recommended against extending deadlines for successful purchasers who failed to meet payment and collection requirements. It also urged the state government to implement urgent mine closure processes, noting that open coal mines pose significant threats to life and the environment.
