Assam: Parked excavators at Patkai Hills footstep raises concern of illegal coal mining in Margherita

In the verdant foothills of the Patkai Hills in Assam, a troubling sight has raised alarms among environmentalists and locals alike: excavators stand ominously at the ready, signalling the potential resurgence of illegal coal mining activities in the Margherita area. 

This region, known for its natural wealth due to abundant coal deposits, has been marred by a history of unauthorized extraction that has stripped the land of its green glory.

As per sources, the local administration has not asked any questions about the purpose of these large-scale excavators being parked at the foothills. 

Locals claim that the operators are just waiting for a green signal from the forest department to start the mining activities.

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The controversy surrounding Dehing Patkai, which led to its declaration as Assam's seventh national park on June 7, 2021, was rooted in the contentious issue of coal mining within this rainforest region. 

Coal mining in Assam dates back more than 250 years, with systematic operations initiated in 1888 by the Assam Railways and Trading Company at the Makum coalfields near Margherita. 

The environmental impact of these mining practices has been devastating. Unabated illegal mining has led to the loss of flora and fauna, transforming the once lush landscape into a barren tableau. 

The extraction methods employed are primitive yet effective, with locals and migrant labourers using sharp tools to dig out coal, which is then collected at designated spots. The Ledo-Margherita area, approximately 571 kilometres from Guwahati, has been particularly affected. 

As excavators stand parked at the footstep of the Patkai Hills, they serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle between conservation efforts and the lure of coal mining, legal or otherwise. The situation in Margherita remains tense, with the future of this ecologically sensitive area hanging in the balance.