Nagaland’s decision to spend nearly Rs 27.5 crore on detailed exploration of the Dibuia Coal Block in Mokokchung district marks a major investment in understanding the state’s mineral potential. The findings could have far-reaching implications for the region, particularly if the deposits prove commercially viable and lead to proposals for mining.
Exploration itself is not mining. Establishing the extent, quality and quantity of coal deposits is a legitimate exercise and can help the government make informed decisions. However, the discovery of substantial deposits could open the door to commercial extraction, bringing economic opportunities as well as environmental and social consequences.
Coal mining has already taken an environmental toll in parts of Mokokchung. A 2023 study of the Tzuong River system in the area found evidence of water contamination linked to mining activities, raising concerns about the impact on local water sources and surrounding communities. The experience calls for caution as the state considers further exploration and possible development of its coal resources.
The question of ownership and community participation is equally important. Under Article 371A, land and its resources enjoy constitutional protection rooted in Nagaland’s customary system. Mongchen and Dibuia are not merely locations on a geological map. They are living communities whose land, water and livelihoods could be affected by decisions taken in the name of resource development.
If the deposits prove commercially viable, who will decide whether mining proceeds? What share of the benefits will reach the landowners and villages? Who will bear responsibility for environmental damage, and who will ensure that abandoned mines do not become a burden for future generations?
These questions should not be postponed until extraction becomes imminent. The government must establish transparent safeguards, meaningful community participation, clear benefit-sharing arrangements and enforceable environmental accountability from the outset.
Economic development must account for environmental costs and the interests of local communities. Any gains from coal extraction would mean little if the people living above these resources are left to bear the environmental and social consequences.
The real measure of this exploration will not be how much coal lies beneath Mokokchung, but whether the state has the wisdom and capacity to manage it responsibly.