Answer

Introduction

Rat-hole mining in Meghalaya represents a complex “resource-livelihood” conflict, where the pursuit of economic survival by marginalized communities clashes with the ecological imperative of the state. Despite the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ban in 2014, the practice continues as an unregulated shadow economy, driven by unique socio-legal conditions and a critical lack of alternative income streams for thousands of tribal families.

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Factors Responsible for Continued Prevalence

• Geological Necessity: The coal seams in Meghalaya are extremely thin (less than 2m), making large-scale open-cast mining unviable and “rat-holes” the only “profitable” method for small owners.
• Unique Land Ownership: Under the Sixth Schedule, land is community or privately owned, allowing owners to claim “tribal autonomy” to bypass central mining regulations and the MMDR Act.
• Economic Compulsion: Coal mining offers daily wages nearly 3x higher than agriculture or MGNREGA work, creating a “pull factor” for impoverished migrant and local labor.
  Eg: The February 5, 2026, blast in East Jaintia Hills, which killed 27 miners, highlights how extreme poverty forces workers into “death trap” tunnels.
• Governance and Patronage: A persistent politico-criminal nexus often results in weak local enforcement and the “laundering” of illegal coal into legitimate supply chains.
  Eg: The Justice Katakey Committee (2025) flagged over 22,000 illegal mine openings in a single district, suggesting systemic regulatory collapse.

Measures to Balance Sustainability and Economic Security

• Promotion of Scientific Mining: Fast-tracking the transition to regulated, mechanized mining that follows strict safety and environmental protocols.
  Eg: The Ministry of Coal recently granted approval to four applicants to pilot scientific mining leases in the West Khasi Hills.
• Livelihood Diversification: Directing investment into Meghalaya’s “Bio-economy”—specifically high-value horticulture (citronella, cocoa) and sustainable eco-tourism.
  Eg: A World Bank-funded project has successfully reclaimed 672 hectares of mine-spoiled land into lemongrass and citronella plantations.
• Technological Monitoring: Using Remote Sensing (MSS), drone surveillance, and mandatory GPS-tracking for coal trucks to prevent the movement of “blood coal.”
• Ecological Restoration Funds: Actively utilizing the Meghalaya Environment Protection and Restoration Fund (MEPRF) to re-skill miners and restore acidified water bodies like the Kopili River.

Conclusion

As emphasized, “court supervision cannot substitute governance.” The state must move from a strategy of “blind prohibition” to “proactive formalization.” Integrating the informal mining workforce into a regulated framework while providing credit-linked alternative livelihoods is essential to preserve Meghalaya’s fragile ecology without sacrificing the economic security of its people.

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