The advantages, disadvantages and challenges of banning rat hole mining in the Jaintia hills of Meghalaya

Coal mines are site specific and they are located in the ecologically sensitive areas where forests are rich in Biodiversity. Coal mining is not a curse in the state, as mining had a positive effect in the state of Meghalaya. It is one of the most important sources of energy in the state. The mining activity in Jaintia hills haveadverse effect on land use and socio-economic activities. The study revealed that rat-hole mining activity had initiated environmental degradation in the region due to deforestation, biodiversity loss, pressure on local resources and soil erosion. The damage caused to the local eco-system is permanent. Unsystematic shallow mining is one of the most important factors affecting the water body due to waste dumps. Coal in the state of Meghalaya possesses high degree of sulphur. Rat hole mining is technically simpler done by the tribals of Meghalaya. The National Green Tribunal banned rat hole mining in Jaintia Hills from April 2014.