Nagaland
Mokokchung, Longleng, Tuensang, Mon, Ruchanyan, Tuli
,
Wokha
,
Wokha, Mokokchung, Longleng, Tuensang and Mon
Published :
May 2024
|
Updated :
Unregulated coal mining in Nagaland raises environmental concerns
Reported by
Emilo Yanthan
Legal Review by
Anmol Gupta
Edited by
Anupa Kujur
6052
Households affected
29051
People affected
2024
Year started
Land area affected
6052
Households affected
29051
People Affected
2024
Year started
Land area affected
Key Insights
Sector
Mining
Reason/Cause of conflict
Coal Mining
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Rural
Ended
Sector
Mining
Reason/Cause of conflict
Coal Mining
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Rural
Ended
1
Summary

On 25 January 2024, six persons were killed and four were injured in an accident at an illegal rat-hole coal mine being operated in Ruchanyan village under Wokha district in Nagaland.

According to the State Geology and Mining Department, the accident was allegedly caused by fire and explosion of methane gas. The department further said that the records showed that the mine had no proper clearances from the department. The incident once again brought to light the rampant illegal mining activities taking place in the northeastern state.

Officially, there are 45 licensed coal mining operators in Wokha, Mokokchung, Longleng, Tuensang and Mon, but there have been reports of other illegal coal mines being operated in the region.

Unabated coal mining activities in the state have significantly impacted the environment. The Tuli area is one such area purportedly facing an environmental crisis due to unregulated mining operations as coal dust and chemicals from these mines flow unchecked into streams and rivers, polluting water used by villagers in the area. Arkakong MLA Nuklutoshi also disclosed that in Mokokchung district, 50 percent of Milak River is contaminated and there are no fish, and portion of Dikhu River is also contaminated due to illegal coal mining.

According to information provided by the Geology and Mining Department of Nagaland, there are 492.68 million tonnes of coal reserves in the state. However, these resources are fragmented and dispersed across numerous small pockets, spanning a vast geographical area. As a result, the government began issuing small pocket deposit licences (SPDL) to individual landowners for rat-hole mining under its coal mining policy.

Acknowledging the presence of illegal mines in the state, Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio, who is also the minister in charge of Geology and Mining said in the State Assembly that the unique land holding system in the state makes accounting difficult for such mines.

In Nagaland, the land tenure system differs significantly, with land belonging to the people and governed by the traditional and customary laws of each tribe. This arrangement has led to coal mining operations being undertaken by community or individual landowners, who hold mining leases or licenses, while the government's role is primarily limited to royalty collection. Officials assert that many individuals forego obtaining licenses, as they perceive their land as theirs to utilise as they see fit. 

Nagaland CM further stated that the illegal coal mining operations have to be regulated by the state government even as the land is owned by the people as per Article 371(A). Rio added, “Contractors and businesspersons conducting mining activities should bear the responsibility for land reclamation by filling up the rat-hole mines and planting trees rather than leaving it barren.”

Dr Kenyelo Rengma, the head of the state's geological wing, explained that since the open cast mining, which is the safe mode of mining, is too costly, local coal miners go for rat-hole mining, which is allowed for licence holders.

The state’s coal policy notified in 2006 and amended in 2014 states, “These rampant and illegal mining activities have resulted in various types of accidents, health hazards, ecological and environmental degradation; besides loss of coal resource and leakages through process exits have caused substantial State Revenue loss.”

The CM additionally remarked that the government has been spearheading campaigns in collaboration with stakeholders and village councils to raise awareness and educate the populace about the adverse environmental impacts of illegal coal mining activities.

Meanwhile, Deputy CM Zeliang added, “Residents in coal-bearing areas depend on illegal mining for sustenance and they need to be educated on the adverse effects of such activities.” 

2
Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Opposition against environmental degradation

Demand to cancel the project

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Rural

Type of Land

Common

Forest and Non-Forest

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Other Natural Resource extraction/dependence, Other environmental services

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

Type of investment:

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

4
Additional Information

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Nagaland Geology and Mining Department

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

5
Information on the use of criminal law

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Legal Supporting Documents

JOIN
THE LCW COMMUNITY
Exclusive monthly policy briefs, stories from the ground, Quarterly Analytics report, Curated Expert talks, merchandise and much more.


Support our work.
Sign Up Today
Author
Reported by
Emilo R. Yanthan

Emilo is pursuing her PhD in Political Science at the North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong. Her primary research areas include human and land rights and gender issues.

Show more work
Latest updates
East Jaintia Hills
Meghalaya

Violent protest during public hearing for cement plant expansion in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills

Narela
Delhi

Residents of Narela's Bajitpur Thakran oppose demolition of temples for defence institute, demand sports complex

Surguja
Chhattisgarh

Adivasis in Chhattisgarh's Hasdeo protest relentlessly against mining project in forest

Kamrup Metropolitan
Assam

Lawyer bodies protest against Assam government’s decision to relocate Gauhati High Court

Faizabad
Uttar Pradesh

Demands for Ram Temple, Babri Mosque at same site divides Ayodhya

Mumbai
Maharashtra

Supreme Court Allows Land Reclamation for Mumbai Coastal Road Project

Pune
Maharashtra

Farmers Refuse Land for Pune Outer Ring Road Project in Maharashtra

Surat
Gujarat

Slum Dwellers in Gujarat's Surat Stage Protest against Demolition, Forced Eviction

Fact sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Opposition against environmental degradation

Demand to cancel the project

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Other Natural Resource extraction/dependence, Other environmental services

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

JOIN
THE LCW COMMUNITY
Exclusive monthly policy briefs, stories from the ground, Quarterly Analytics report, Curated Expert talks, merchandise and much more.


Support our work.
Sign Up Today
Conflicts Map
Conflict Database
About Us