Nagaland govt.’s efforts to regulate coal mining hit Article 371A wall
- Article 371A of the Constitution of India has been the major hurdle in the Nagaland government’s efforts to regulate small-scale illegal coal mining activities in the State.
Key Highlights
- Specific to Nagaland, Article 371A has special provisions guaranteeing the protection of land and its resources apart from the Naga customary law and procedure.
- 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
- Nagaland’s coal mining policy, first notified in 2006
- Allows rat-hole mining as the coal deposits are too scattered for large-scale and coordinated operations.
- Leases called small pocket deposit licences are awarded to individuals.
- Rat-hole mining can be undertaken only with the consent of the departments concerned, including that of Forest and Environment.
- State government awarded several rat-hole mining leases with proper forest and environment clearances and definite mining plans.
- This has not stopped people from operating such mines illegally.
Prelims takeaway
- Article 371A
- Nagaland’s