Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Threat to life arising out of coal mining in south garo hills district Vs State of Meghalaya & Others dated 27/07/2020. The quantum of coal unscientifically mined was mentioned to be 23,25,663.54 MT.

The court went through the seventh report of the Committee appointed by the Tribunal on restoration of the environment and preventing any further illegal coal mining in Meghalaya. The report had recommended that the transportation of illeglly mined coal should be done by the coal owners - which was rejected by the court. The state should transport the coal and give the locations, the order said.

The NGT gave the go ahead with respect to the plans for restoration of the environment. This included furnishing of a detailed cost estimate for preparation of maps which would identify and delineate the coal fields as well as each coal mine, coal shaft and coal dump. This was to prevent human and animal deaths by accidental falling in coal mine shafts. The areas covered for such an exercise would include West Khasi Hills, South Garo Hills and South West Khasi Hills.

The NGT directed that the remediation plan should be executed under the supervision of the Committee.