Nagaland: Extracted coal for sale in Longnak under Mokokchung district

Extracted coal for sale in Longnak under Mokokchung district. At Longnak area, which falls under Changki village, and situated near Mangkolemba sub-division, the environmental impact of coal mining is adverse. It is reported that the practice in the area is rat-hole coal mining. Most of the cavities/pits dug to extract coal are left unfilled and unattended. This has led to landslides, (which obstruct roads) acid mine drainage and contamination of groundwater, streams and rivers. On March 16, 2021, four miners died in a suspected gas poisoning inside a coal mine located in between Mangkolemba sub-divisional headquarters and the Longnak valley. Meanwhile, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) 2020-21 has reported that “despite coal mining activities taking place, Nagaland has no mechanism in place to check the coal mines.” The PAC also reported that 44 coal mining units in Nagaland operated without permission. (Morung Photo)