Shillong, Meghalaya | March 26, 2025:
In a major revelation that reignites concerns over illegal coal mining in Meghalaya, a High Court-appointed committee has reported the discovery of large quantities of unaccounted coal through an aerial survey conducted across multiple regions of the state.
The survey, which was carried out as part of the Meghalaya High Court’s ongoing crackdown on illegal mining activities, identified stockpiles of coal situated outside the officially designated Coal India Limited (CIL) depots. These findings point toward unauthorized extraction, transportation, and storage of coal, raising serious environmental, legal, and governance questions.
According to sources familiar with the committee’s report, the coal heaps were clearly visible during drone-based and helicopter reconnaissance, with several locations suspected to be bypassing legal norms and evading regulatory oversight.
⚖️ Court-Backed Action Against Illegal Mining
The High Court of Meghalaya has been actively monitoring coal-related activities in the state since 2019, following repeated allegations of illegal mining operations despite a ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The court had previously ordered the formation of a dedicated oversight committee, tasked with tracking and verifying coal storage, transport permissions, and environmental compliance.
The current discovery reinforces longstanding claims by activists and environmental groups that illegal coal operations remain rampant, especially in remote and forested areas, often under the radar of local authorities.
