Meghalaya’s Moolamylliang village, located in the East Jaintia Hills district, is on its way to becoming an eco-friendly zone, despite the defunct pits left behind by rat-hole mining. This reflects the village’s significant strides towards green reforms.
Background of Moolamylliang
Formerly a mining village, Moolamylliang housed many of the 60,000 coal mines spread across 360 villages in East Jaintia Hills, as stated by the Jaintia Coal Miners and Dealers’ Association. These activities ceased following the National Green Tribunal (NGT)’s April 2014 ban on hazardous rat-hole coal mining in Meghalaya. Although this ban did not eradicate illegal mining in the district, it catalyzed Moolamylliang’s transformation.
Coal Mining in Northeast
The Northeast region of India faces extensive exploitation of natural resources headlined by coal mining. This has triggered widespread deforestation in the Garo and Khasi hills of Meghalaya and limestone mining in Jaintia Hills. Assam, once cloaked in dense forests, now experiences poaching, coal mining, and sand/stone mining from river beds.
Demarcated as a tribal state under the 6th Schedule, all land is privately owned in Meghalaya leading to private coal mining affairs. The significant coal deposits chiefly lie in Jaintia Hills where rat-hole mining overpowers open-cast mining due to the landscape’s peculiarities.
Child Labour and Human Trafficking
The majority of workers involved in ‘rat-hole’ mining are children, primarily due to their small size. This mining technique has stimulated child trafficking alongside engaging immigrants from various states.
Corruption in Mining
Cases of corruption involving police officials and mine owners are a commonplace in states where open-cast mining and rat-hole mining are prevalent.
Measures to Counter Effects of Mining
Efforts are being made to engage the local coke factories and cement plants in earth rejuvenation programmes under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). These include low-cost rainwater harvesting to nurture the dry areas resulting from coal mining. Local government initiatives are also promoting tourism, using Moolamylliang as a base camp, to offset the effects of mining.
Government Initiatives Related to Mining
In April 2018, the Ministry of Coal introduced the UTTAM Application for coal quality monitoring. The National Mineral Policy (NMP), was approved in 2019, emphasising sustainable mining, exploration emphasis, technology usage, and skill development. By September 2019, 100% FDI was allowed for the sale of coal and associated processing infrastructure. In January 2020, the Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020, was passed to regulate the mining sector and ensure continuity in coal mining operations.
This illustrates the initiatives taken by the community and the local government to turn around the adverse effects of mining and strive towards a greener future.