Shillong, March 17 -- Meghalaya on Monday launched its first-ever scientific coal mining block, 11 years after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned rat-hole coal mining in the state.
The coal mining block - 'Saryngkham-A' Coal Mine, Byndihati - is located in the coal-rich East Jaintia Hills district The coal block has been leased to one coal miner Dapmain Shylla from Byndihati and the mining would be conducted scientifically.
In January, the Meghalaya government received the final clearance for scientific coal mining after three miners signed escrow agreements with the Controller of Coal, Government of India
The NGT had imposed a blanket ban on coal mining in Meghalaya in 2014, following widespread safety and environmental concerns ...