Why rat-hole mining is unique to Meghalaya

Rat-hole mining involves digging of narrow tunnels for workers to enter and extract coal.

The entire state of Meghalaya is very rich in mineral reserves. Not just coal, many other minerals are found in abundance in Meghalaya.

East Jaintia Hills happens to be one of the highest reserves of forest and coal. This region is also very less populated, making it difficult for those who wish to operate out of this region to use the local facilities.

The state of Meghalaya is facing a ban on coal mining. The National Green Tribunal put a ban on coal-mining in 2014.

But the rich reserves of Meghalaya have been a source of livelihood for most of its inhabitants.

The quality of coal in Meghalaya is superior and its cost is cheap. One truck of Meghalaya coal fetches income almost equivalent to what two truck of Jharkhand coal would.