SHILLONG: Graham Lyngdoh, a coal mine owner from Tuber Kmai Shnong, East Jaintia Hills, has called on the Ministry of Coal, Government of India, to adopt a more scientific and economically viable approach to coal mining in Meghalaya.
In a letter to the Ministry, Lyngdoh urged the Centre to reconsider the current policy mandating a minimum of 100 hectares for mining leases, arguing this requirement is impractical given the pocketed and non-continuous nature of coal deposits in the Jaintia Hills.
Lyngdoh suggested that coal-bearing areas should be scientifically surveyed at the G4 or G3 level to identify viable deposits, and that mining leases could be granted for smaller blocks of 10 or 20 hectares, depending on geological feasibility.
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He also proposed that in cases where multiple landowners are involved, a joint application for a mining lease should be allowed.
While supporting the need for proper regulation and scientific mining, Lyngdoh said that regulated, small-scale mining would better protect the interests of local landowners and help revive livelihoods in the region, which have suffered since the 2014 National Green Tribunal ban on coal mining.
He emphasized the quality of Meghalaya’s coal and expressed confidence that a revised policy would help restore the state’s position on the national coal map while ensuring environmentally sound mining practices.
(4FrontMedia news)
