What is mean by rat-hole mining? Discuss its ecological implications and enumerate the reasons for its prevalent practice in India. (200 Words)
Refer - The Indian Express
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 5 years
KEY POINTS
Rat-hole mining involves digging of rat-hole-sized small tunnels, usually only 3-4 feet high, which workers (often children) enter and extract coal.
Ecological implications
· Rat-hole mining in Meghalaya had caused the water in the Kopili river (it flows through Meghalaya and Assam) to turn acidic.
· Entire roadsides in and around mining areas are used for piling of coal which is a major source of air, water, and soil pollution.
· Off-road movement of trucks and other vehicles in the area causes further damage to the ecology of the area.
Reasons for practice despite the ban
· No other method would be economically viable in Meghalaya, where the coal seam is extremely thin.
· Removal of rocks from the hilly terrain and putting up pillars inside the mine to prevent collapse would be costlier.
· Rat-hole mining operations have been in practice in Jaintia Hills, for many years without being regulated by any law and extraction of coal has been made by unscrupulous elements in a most illegal and unscientific manner.
Stringent action must be taken by the executives with utmost transparency and accountability to stop the illegal mining practice in Meghalaya.
Rishi Raj Singh Champawat 5 years
Please review
IAS Parliament 5 years
Good Answer. Keep Writing.
Nandadeep 5 years
Please review.thanks
IAS Parliament 5 years
Good
Attempt.Keep Writing
Sahitya 5 years
Please review
IAS Parliament 5 years
Good
Attempt.Keep Writing
