New Delhi, Feb. 4 -- The Union Minister of State for Environment and Forest, Kirti Vardhan Singh, admitted in Lok Sabha that rat-hole mining is illegal and falls under the purview of the state government

The Minister's response came on Monday to questions raised by Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi and other members regarding the government's efforts to combat this illegal practice.

Minister Singh acknowledged that rat-hole mining, a dangerous and environmentally destructive practice, is illegal and falls under the purview of the state administration.

He detailed actions taken following an incident near the Dehing Patkai National Park (then wildlife sanctuary) in Assam's Tinsukia district, including a suo motu case by the National Green Tri...