Why in the News?
Police in Meghalaya have been directed by the judiciary to identify and act against owners of illegal rat hole coal mines, following repeated mining accidents and continued violations despite a long standing ban.
What is Rat Hole Coal Mining?
- Rat hole mining is a primitive and hazardous method of coal extraction where miners dig narrow horizontal or vertical tunnels, often just large enough for a person to crawl through.
- This practice is mainly found in parts of Meghalaya due to unique land ownership patterns.
Judicial Background
- The National Green Tribunal banned rat hole coal mining in 2014. The ban was imposed due to
- Severe environmental damage
- Frequent loss of lives
- Absence of safety standards
Why Does Illegal Mining Continue?
- Coal bearing land is often privately or community owned
- Weak enforcement and local political economy
- High demand for coal and informal labour
- Difficult terrain and limited monitoring capacity
| [2018] How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)?Â
1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government 2. The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
