In order to have systematic development and to contain rampant illegal mining the Nagaland Coal Policy (NCP) was formulated in the year 2006 and under this policy most of the mines are brought under the licensing policy of the state with the Geology and Mining department issuing Coal Prospecting Licenses (CPL) and Coal Mining Leases (CML). However, there is no respite from this engagement of unscientific and rampant coal mining.In a shocking revelation the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) said that water sources have been affected by the mining in the districts of Mon, Longleng and Wokha and Mokokchung. According to the NPCB report, 48 mining sites were identified for the study and samples were collected from the sites including Kongan, Borjan, Tiru and Pongkong areas in Mon district, Bur Namsang in Longleng, Tsopo, Baghty and Samutra river area in Wokha district, and Merangkong, Khar, Mongchen and Aonokpu areas in Mokokchung district.
In its report the NPCB said, “The current picture of coal mining (both abandoned sites and ongoing mining activities) in the state is not a pleasant sight to be viewed as it is done unscientifically without any proper planning leading to wastage of coal reserves and causes hazards… This poses threat to the flora, fauna and the local people living in the vicinity.”
Now, it appears that unless there is a concerted role of National Green Tribunal (NGT) or the Environment Court in Nagaland we will only continue to see the assault on our environment.
