New Delhi – India | August 8, 2025
After an arduous 11-year hiatus that left a significant portion of its population in economic distress, coal mining has officially resumed in the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya. The decision, a watershed moment for the region, follows the lifting of a ban by India’s National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the introduction of a new, comprehensive set of environmental and safety rules. The resumption of mining is being heralded by the state government and local communities as a vital step towards economic revival, promising to restore thousands of livelihoods and generate much-needed revenue. However, the move is also being met with considerable skepticism and alarm from environmental groups, both within India and internationally, who fear that the new regulations may not be robust enough to prevent a return to the reckless and ecologically destructive practices that led to the original ban.
The ban, which was imposed by the NGT in April 2014, was a direct response to the widespread practice of “rat-hole” mining, a dangerous and primitive method where workers, often including children, would descend into narrow, horizontal tunnels to extract coal. This unregulated and unscientific form of mining was deemed not only a serious threat to the lives of miners but also a major source of environmental degradation. Over the years, rat-hole mining had devastated Meghalaya’s pristine landscape, contaminating its rivers with highly acidic runoff and rendering large tracts of land infertile. The petition that led to the ban was brought by a student group from neighboring Assam, who highlighted how the acidic water from Meghalaya’s mines was poisoning rivers downstream, turning them toxic and rendering them unfit for human or animal consumption. Despite the ban, illegal mining persisted, underscoring the deep-seated economic dependence of the local population on the coal industry.
The path to lifting the ban has been a long and complex one, involving years of legal battles, regulatory efforts, and stakeholder consultations. The state government, under intense pressure to revive the state’s economy, worked in close collaboration with the Ministry of Coal to draft a framework for what it terms “scientific and regulated” mining. The new rules mandate a fundamental shift away from the hazardous rat-hole method. Miners are now required to obtain statutory approvals from the Ministry of Coal and adhere to strict guidelines for everything from land use and reclamation to water management and waste disposal. The new framework insists on the use of modern machinery for extraction and transportation, the implementation of comprehensive mine safety plans, and regular environmental impact assessments. Furthermore, a dedicated “Meghalaya Environment Protection and Restoration Fund” has been established, funded by a levy on the extracted coal, to be used for rehabilitating the land and water bodies scarred by decades of past mining.
For the people of Meghalaya, the resumption of mining is a source of immense relief. The state’s economy was heavily reliant on the coal industry, and the ban left thousands of families without a primary source of income. A significant portion of the state’s revenue was generated from coal royalties and transportation taxes, and its loss over the past decade led to a severe fiscal crunch. The Meghalaya Chief Minister, in a statement to the press, hailed the day as “a historic milestone” and a testament to the government’s commitment to “balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility.” He acknowledged the severe hardships faced by the citizens during the ban and expressed confidence that the new regulations would usher in an era of sustainable prosperity. This sentiment is widely shared by local miners and traders, many of whom have been out of work since the ban and are now eager to resume their livelihoods under the new, safer conditions.
However, a chorus of dissent is being voiced by environmental groups and activists, who remain unconvinced by the government’s assurances. They argue that despite the new regulations, the fundamental risks of coal mining remain. Activist Agnes Kharshiing, a prominent voice against illegal mining, has pointed to recent findings that show thousands of illegal rat-hole mines were still operational even during the ban, suggesting that enforcement of the new rules may prove to be a significant challenge. She and her peers argue that the scale of the new “scientific” mines will be even more devastating, impacting large swathes of land, local agriculture, and the delicate ecosystem of the region. They fear that the allure of profits will once again override environmental concerns, leading to irreversible damage to the state’s unique biodiversity. The international community, including environmental and climate action groups in the UK and Europe, is also watching with a sense of apprehension. At a time when nations are being urged to transition away from fossil fuels, the resumption of coal mining in India’s northeast is seen by some as a step in the wrong direction for global climate goals.
The resumption of mining in Meghalaya represents a complex and high-stakes experiment. The state government is attempting to prove that it can harness the economic potential of its vast coal reserves while adhering to modern standards of safety and environmental protection. For the thousands of families whose lives were upended by the ban, it is a chance to rebuild and find stability. But for a global audience increasingly focused on climate change and sustainable development, the resumption of mining in a region scarred by past ecological damage serves as a powerful and cautionary tale. The coming years will reveal whether Meghalaya can successfully navigate this delicate balance, or if the pursuit of economic growth will once again come at an unacceptable cost to the environment and its people.
